Bangalore: Even as the Army and the concerned family was mourning the untimely death
of young Captain Kevin Kumar - who was killed fighting militants in J&K, news came
of the shocking death of another young soldier from Bangalore city.
Captain Slyvester Rajesh Rathnam of the 21 Jat Regiment also laid down his life
fighting insurgents in the Keran sector of Jammu and Kashmir on August 2. The 29-
year-old Rathnam was a product of Christ College, Bangalore and joined the Army
through Officers' Training Academy.
Kashmir was his first assignment and the news of his tragic demise was unfortunately
received by his mother, staying all alone at their Bangalore home. Rathnam had
recently lost his father Rajakumar Rathna due to heart attack and his sister was
away in Israel pursuing her PhD degree.
Within a short span of five days Bangalore had lost two of its bravest sons, who
patriotically sacrificed their lives for the cause of the country. The body was
received with the customary protocol at the airport by Karnataka’s Minister for
Social Welfare A Krishnappa.
After the funeral service at the Resurrection Church on Old Madras Road, the body
was laid to rest at Ulsoor cemetery with full military honours. Even as the Earth
too seemed to mourn the demise of its brave sons - the sky was overcast since
morning and there was intermittent drizzle throughout the day, Bangaloreans once
again went about their chores unmindful of the fact that another hero had died for a
national cause.
Indiainfo.com prays to God to give his mother courage and strength to bear the
loss.
Tributes may be sent to Ms Hema Rathnam, 1,012/3, First Main, New Thippasandra,
Bangalore - 560 075.
