Kolhapur: Residents of Shahapur (in Satara’s Karad taluka) and Gondoli (in Kolhapur’s Shahuwadi taluka) stood with bowed heads and salutes as relatives voiced their grief during the cremations of Arjun Ramchandra Jadhav and Vikram Balkrishna Chavan, who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
India lost her two bravehearts at the Line of Control in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday in an accidental blast. The mortal remains were brought to their respective villages on Friday morning, where the villagers made preparations for their cremations.
In both villages, the mortal remains were briefly taken to their houses for their kin to have their last glimpse. A sea of people, not just from the village but also from nearby villages, gathered to pay respects. Most walked with the army vehicle carrying the mortal remains. Slogans like “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, “Arjun Bhaiyya Amar Rahe”, and “Vikram Chavan Amar Rahe” filled the air.
At both places, collectors, superintendents of police, ZP CEOs of respective districts, local MLAs, former MLAs, and ex-army men were present to offer floral tributes.
Jadhav has left a son (Sarvesh) who is turning one on June 25. To celebrate his first birthday, he had sanctioned leave from June 15 onwards. Vikram, father of a three-year-old daughter Veera, had joined the army in 2018.
Jadhav and Chavan were cremated with full state honours. The gun salutes by teams of army and police pierced the emotionally charged atmosphere.
