The city mourned the loss of the 23-year-old brave young man who died a hero in defence of his motherland. Citizens spontaneously came out in large numbers and stood across the road waiting to pay homage to the soldier.

Tragically around this time last year, Captain Chavan had lost his mother who died in a road accident in the Bhor Ghat when she was on her way to offer prayers at the temple.Captain Chavan is survived by his father Prakash Chavanand a sister Smita. His mortal remains were brought to the city by a special flight on Wednesday evening. `Sunanda Niwas' - the home of the Chavan family was thronged by mourners. Some of his friends from INS Shivaji where he had completed a course, were also present forthe funeral.

The city had recently lost another brave soldier Captain Amit Varma in the Kargil conflict. Local residents may have never seen him since the family had shifted to this house two months ago. Yet they were badly shaken by the incident. Emotionally moved citizens gave vent to their feelings by drawing colourful rangolis in almost every square in Tingrenagar, Kalas village and Vishrantwadi which remained closed today as a mark of respect. Chief Minister Narayan Rane and Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde who later joined the funeral procession and were present at the crematorium, laid wreaths as a sign of respect.

The procession that began from Tingrenagar was delayed by over an hour as the two ministers failed to turn up on time.

Once the procession began, it took almost two more hours to reach the crematorioum in BEG Sapras. Almost all the students from all the schools in the neighbouring areas stood on the path with national flags and flowers to pay homage to Chavan. Citizens offeredfloral tributes at almost every chowk.