16 March,2011 06:37 AM IST | | Madhusudan Maney
Over 1,000 people, including 600 students, took part in the function held at Yelahanka
A function was organised in the city yesterday to celebrate the 34th birth anniversary of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who was martyred in the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. Over 1,000 invitees, including 600 school students from 40 schools including family and friends from Kerala, apart from army officers, took part in the function at Yelahanka.
Insight: Major Unnikrishnan's father with a portrait presented by the
visually impaired members of IDL Foundation. The martyr's family
celebrated the occasion at their residence with relatives and friends.
Pic/Ramesh H S
Sandeep's parents cut a birthday cake and as Dhanalakshmi (his mother) attempted to speak, tears rolled down cheeks and all she managed to say before being overcome by emotion was, "For our wedding anniversary he used to get us special gifts."
Even Unnikrishnan, Sandeep's father, could not speak much as he was choked with grief, He said, "Sandeep has not gone anywhere. He is still here with us." The function started at 8 am and went on till 3 pm and included cultural programmes and a musical performance by IDL Foundation's 'IDL Blind Band'. Breakfast and lunch was served to the students and others participants.
For Sandeep's third death anniversary, his parents will be launching a souvenir based on the theme 'Service to the nation comes first, always and every time'. Envisioned cause P K Paul, Founder of IDL Foundation said, "We are proud to be a part of this function. Our 13-member band performed and sang patriotic and film songs, which was enthralling to both, the gathering as well as the participants.
Paul said that foundation, an NGO, also campaigned on 'Eye Donation' and distributed forms requesting those present to encourage eye donation.
