Where Bangalore’s 26/11 hero lives on

Major Unnikrishnan's memorial at Muktidhama on outskirts of city plants seeds of patriotism in young hearts

Where Bangalore's 26/11 hero lives on

Major Unnikrishnan's memorial at Muktidhama on outskirts of city plants seeds of patriotism in young hearts
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The city's 26/11 hero, National Security Guard (NSG) commando Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, is now leading a brigade of war heroes in spreading the message of patriotism.

For the many who visit Muktidhama, a martyrs' memorial, Unnikrishnan lives on in an eight-month-old 'jambhul' plant that has grown at the spot that holds his remains.

The only place where Unnikrishnan's remains have gone, Mukthidhama also has memorials of over 380 martyrs.

Last year Unnikrishnan sacrificed his life in Mumbai in the November 26-29 terrorist attack so that others may live.

As the nation recalls the horrors of 26/11 a year on, Muktidhama is turning out to be a source of inspiration for the city's youth who wish to serve the nation.u00a0

"Eight months have passed since Sandeep Unnikrishnan's remains reached this place," said B N Shivshankar, founder of Mukthidhama. "We have planted a sapling in his memory and people are visiting his memorial."

Hero figure

Mukthidhama, on a two-acre plot at Gonipura near Kumblagodu, is the only public place in the city where Unnikrishnan's remains have been preserved.

His memorial: Whereu00a0is remembered at Muktidhama. The 26/11 Mumbai terror attack martyr's remains are over here. For visitors who come to pay their respects, he lives on in an eight-month-old 'jambhul' plant growing at the spot.

The urn containing his remains is one among three brought to Bangalore by army personnel, after the 26/11 tragedy, which took many valiant lives.u00a0

The jambhul plant is drawing the youth from near and far, all coming to pay tribute to their hero. Over 100 visitors have been paying it a visit every month since work on Unnikrishnan's memorial began in April.u00a0u00a0

"People are arriving here after getting to know that the place has Sandeep Unnikrishnan's memorial," said Mohan Kumari D, managing trustee, Mukthidhama. "They pay their tribute to him and also learn about sacrifices other valiant soldiers have made in past."

Keeping their memory alive: B N Shivshankar at the Muktidhama memorial he founded where over 380 fallen soldiers' sacrifice is saluted.

Vir bhoomi

The place, to be named 'Vir Bhoomi' soon, is also creating awareness on martyred war heroes, thanks to Unnikrishnan attracting so many visitors.

People get introduced to the deeds of valour of the over 380 valiant soldiers from the state who sacrificed their lives for the country. Their memorials stand in orderly rows besides Unnikrishnan's.

They include martyrs of the Second World War, the recent wars like Kargil, and operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

A brief history is attached to the memorials of martyrs, among them Captain Kevin Kumar, Captain Rajesh Rajarathnam and Kargil hero Chand Pasha, and visitors say they find it inspiring.u00a0

Looking up to him: Kids hold up a picture of Major Unni at a function.

"The place is inspiring as we have memories of our soldiers and tales of their martyrdom here," said M Sreenivas, an engineer who paid Muktidhama a visit recently. "I regard this to be a very special place in Bangalore, as Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan is present here along with other war heroes, about whom we never knew before."u00a0u00a0

Mukthidhama will pay a tribute to Unnikrishnan on Thursday, the anniversary of his 26/11, when he died fighting terrorists. It plans to observe November 26 as a day to pay tributes to war heroes every year.

"Many NGOs and Bangaloreans will join us on this day every year henceforth to pay tribute to Sandeep Unnikrishnan," said Shivshankar. "We will make this day a day of significance at Mukthidhama once all the work of building memorials is complete."

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