Agaram Road in East Tambaram was overflowing with lines of people on either side on Monday morning. The crowds had arrived to offer their respects to Major Mukund Varadharajan, a proud son of Tambaram.
As the mortal remains of the officer was brought in a convoy of Army vehicles, the crowd raised slogans in praise of the 32-year-old who was attached to 44 (Battalion) of Rashtriya Rifles. Soldiers of 25 Punjab Regiment from Army Camp in Pallavaram were part of the convoy.
The crowd did not leave from there but proceeded to the officer’s home, an apartment at Professor’s Colony. Elected representatives from different political parties, too, offered their respects.
The mortal remains were brought from Military Hospital, St. Thomas Mount, where it was kept overnight after arriving from New Delhi late on Sunday. Major General R.G. Krishnan, Chief of Staff, ATNK and K Area, led the Army in offering their respects.
At the crematorium in Besant Nagar, officers from the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, Coast Guard and Tamil Nadu police also placed wreaths.
Ministers also paid their tribute on behalf of the Chief Minister, while a Raj Bhavan staff placed a wreath on behalf of the Governor
R. Varadharajan and Geetha, the officer’s parents, Indhu, his wife, and Arshea, the couple’s young daughter, were present and accepted the condolence messages from all.
T.K.M. Chinnayya, animal husbandry minister, handed over a cheque for Rs. 10 lakh as solatium to Ms. Mukund on behalf of the State government.
