The Gandhi Memorial Museum on Friday reverberated with memories of the brave soldier, Flight Lieutenant K. Praveen, who died in a chopper crash while on a rescue mission to save people stranded in floods in Uttarakhand on June 25, 2013.
C. Manjula, proud mother of the Indian Air Force pilot from Madurai, was the focal point as hundreds paid homage to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on his 68th death anniversary. Controlling her emotions and sorrow as many walked up to her with respect to acknowledge her son’s brave role in the rescue operation, she observed that 27-year-old Praveen was a national hero and should have achieved more for the country.
“It is a honour to be invited to this function to remember my son’s supreme sacrifice. I am grateful to the people of Madurai for their support,” Ms. Manjula said, while sharing her feelings before garlanding the statue of the Mahatma.
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She said that while watching the Republic Day parade on television on January 26, she felt emotional when men in uniform walked past guests with pride.
“I saw the parade with a heavy heart and I am missing my son,” she said.
Working as a Chief Office Superintendent in the Southern Railway office here, Ms. Manjula carries an album of Praveen’s photographs in her handbag to feel that he is always with her.
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She is happy that residents of TVS Nagar, where she lives, have made a representation to the authorities that the newly-constructed Palanganatham bridge be named after him.
Members of Bharati Ilakkiya Peravai and High Court Judges P.N. Prakash and Pushpa Sathyanarayana were among those who paid respects to the Father of the Nation.