Thousands pay homage to soldier

School, college, where Soldier Ravindra studied remain closed

Heavy rains did not deter those friends and relatives who participated in the cremation. The Cheerambane School and Aruna PU College, where Ravindra had his education, remained closed. Students and teachers too paid tributes to the soldier. Many were seen consoling bereaved father Shankara, mother Sharada and sister Ashwini.

The body of Ravindra was brought to Madikeri in an ambulance at 6.30 am. Later, it was taken to his native village B Badaga. Subedar Ramesh, Bangalore Parachute Regiment Subedar Ramprakash Singh and seven other soldiers brought the body to the village. Since Ravindra was a bachelor, a traditional marriage ritual too was performed during the last rites.

 A doll was kept as bride and later it was burnt along with soldier’s body.  Ravindra and his troupe were in Kimsnar, 20 kilometers away from Khandipur of Jammu to fight terrorists.

The troupe had killed a terrorist and seized an AK-47 and 157 bullets on September 5. However, the next day Kuttana Ravindra was shot dead in the operation, informed Subedar Ramesh.

Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah consoled the family and promised that he would make efforts to make all government benefits available to the family of Ravindra.