Havildar Satpal Rai laid to rest in Darj

Darjeeling: The body of braveheart Havildar Satpal Rai was finally laid to rest in his hometown of Takdah in Darjeeling on Monday. Rai was one of the 13 who died in an air mishap on December 8 in the Coonoor region of Tamil Nadu along with the country’s first CDS, General Bipin Rawat. Rai was serving in the 5/11 Gorkha Rifles and was the PSO to the CDS when the helicopter they were travelling in caught fire and crashed.

Rai’s body was charred and could not be identified forcing his son Bickal to seek a DNA test. Bickal is also serving in the same unit as his father and is posted in Delhi.

On Sunday, Rai’s body was brought draped in the National Flag after the DNA test, to the Bengdubi Army base and the same day taken to his hometown.

Rai was buried a few meters away from his residence at Maney Dara on Monday with full state honours amidst a gathering of family members and neighbours.

“I still cannot believe that my father is no more. He was a doting father and was very friendly. I am happy that my father’s sacrifice has been recognised in the Gorkha community and elsewhere,” Bickal said.

Rai is survived by his mother, wife, Bickal and a 16-year-old daughter.