Last Post, Final Tribute To Nagpur’s Op Sindoor Hero

Nagpur: The city bid a tearful adieu to its brave son Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Ravindra Duragkar on Saturday. Duragkar lost his life in a tragic accident when an Indian Air Force Sukhoi aircraft crashed in the Karbi Anglong region of Assam.

On Saturday, his mortal remains were consigned to the flames at the Manewada cremation ground, amid a heavy pall of grief and stirring chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Amar Rahe, Amar Rahe, Purvesh Duragkar Amar Rahe."


His body was brought to New Delhi on Friday, where it was accorded military honours. It was then flown to the Sonegaon Air Force Station in Nagpur and later taken to his residence at New Subhedar Layout, where it was handed over to the family.

It was an emotional scene in the lane where he lived when his parents, Ravindra and Sandhya, received the body and his uniform wrapped in a tricolour.

His sister, Sandhya Samarth, also reached Nagpur from the USA and was inconsolable.

The final rites were performed with full state honours at Manewada ghat, in the presence of collector Vipin Itankar, senior officers of the Indian Air Force, personnel from the armed forces, and prominent citizens from various walks of life.

Following military tradition, the ceremony unfolded with solemn precision. A contingent of 12 jawans offered a rifle salute.

Moments earlier, as the tricolour-draped coffin reached cremation ground, mourners lined up to pay homage. Their voices rose in emotional chants celebrating the courage and sacrifice of Nagpur's beloved son.

After rituals, IAF officers gently folded the national flag that had covered the martyr's body and handed it over to his grieving family. As they received the tricolour, tears streamed down their faces.

Relatives, friends, local residents of the locality, and distinguished figures from across the city gathered in large numbers, united in mourning.