Pilgrimage, for a brave son

Seated in the anteroom of the Oscar Squadron, the father of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan appeared calm and composed. “Here and now, I do not feel the loss…but his mother does…their relationship was rooted in friendship,” he said, urging his wife to be ‘very brave.’

Their son, an NSG commando killed while fighting terrorists at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel during the 26/11 attacks, had told them he would die a ‘lion’s death’ and lay down his life gallantly in ‘an episode which would assume national significance.’

On November 28, his words proved fatally prophetic. “He used to tell us that one day, he would be among the valiant soldiers who make the supreme sacrifice,” said the father, a retired ISRO officer. Terming NDA as the ‘parent house’ of Sandeep’s career in the Armed Forces, he said his son was ‘born to be a soldier.’ “From an early age, he was determined to join the Defence Forces, while I had hoped to see him as an engineer — he had a genuine flair for the profession. But he had made up his mind in class eight. Instead of preparing for IIT entrance examination, he concentrated on physical training and sports, in which he won many laurels,” he said.

His parents visited room six of the Squadron, in which Sandeep had lived for a while. The father said he would contribute some of Sandeep’s personal belongings to NDA. After a guided tour of NDA museum, the couple proceeded to Mumbai, where they plan to visit Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the spot where their 31-year-old son fearlessly embraced death. “We consider this a sort of pilgrimage in his honour,” Unnikrishnan said.

Earlier, they laid a wreath in his memory at the ‘Hut Of Remembrance,’ which commemorates the sacrifices of all NDA alumni who laid down their lives for the nation. “We have been here several times as visitors…along with Sandeep. This time, it is drastically different. I hope the nation will remember… He will live in our hearts and inspire Deshbhakti in every Indian,” said Sandeep’s father, with pride.

“If faced with a situation as terrible as the 26/11 attacks, even I would willingly go and fight for India. Sandeep’s life has taught us many lessons,” he said.

‘I have nothing against politicians’
Clearing the air on the controversy that followed Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan’s visit to the martyr’s home in Bangalore to offer his condolences and his subsequent comment to a television channel, Unnikrishnan said, “The incident was played up by sections of the media. It was an unfortunate misunderstanding. I was outside my home and was quite unnerved when I realised that the Kerala CM and Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had been escorted into the house without my knowledge. I politely requested them to leave.”

Pointing out that Sandeep, who was attached to the Bihar Regiment before being posted to the NSG, was an admirer of Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, he said, “I have nothing against politicians — they are a vital cog in a democracy. I am glad that the unwarranted controversy did not culminate with the resignation of the Kerala CM… that would have been most regrettable as his comment too was blown out of proportion.”