The people of Shivamogga, elected representatives, and officials on Sunday paid tributes to G.S. Manjunath, a junior warrant officer of the Indian Air Force (IAF), who died during a training session in Agra on Friday. He is a native of Sankur in Hosanagara taluk.
The mortal remains of Manjunath reached Shivamogga on Sunday morning. Lok Sabha member B.Y. Raghavendra, MLA for Shivamogga S.N. Channabasappa, and others paid their last respects to the soldier. Manjunath’s wife, Kalpitha Sakia, and family members were in tears.
Later, the mortal remains were taken to Hosanagara town, where hundreds of people paid tributes. All along the route, many people had put up posters with his picture. The final rites were conducted at Sankur.
Suresh, Manjunath’s father, said that Manjunath visited the native place two months ago. He had the ambition to join the armed forces during school days and did succeed in fulfilling that ambition, he added.
Many of his friends and relatives recalled the time they spent with him. Whenever he visited the native place, he shared his experience in the IAF, said his brother G.M. Yuvaraj. Some of his friends wanted the IAF to conduct a probe to ascertain the reason for the mishap. While 11 other people, who flew from the helicopter, landed safely, he died as the parachute failed to open.
Manjunath is survived by his wife, parents, two sisters, and a brother. He joined the IAF in December 2005 and served in different places, including Assam, Jammu Kashmir, and Delhi.
Minister for School Education Madhu Bangarappa mourned his death. In his condolence message, the Minister said Manjunath would remain in the memory of all people. He would pray to god to give Manjunath’s family the strength to bear the loss.
