The lone survivor of the Coonoor helicopter crash that killed 13 others including defence chief General Bipin Rawat was given a moving send off in his home town after succumbing to his injuries on Wednesday. Captain Varun Singh's funeral was conducted in his home district of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on Friday and he was accorded respect by the likes of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan who attended the ceremony at the Bairgarh crematorium this morning.
Captain Singh was a recipient of the Shaurya Chakra this year and Chief Minister Chouhan has announced that his government will give "Samman Nidhi" of ₹ 1 crore to the officer's family.
Singh died in Command Hospital in Bangalore after a long battle with severe injuries sustained during the crash he was recovered from. He was initially treated at the Wellington hospital in Coonoor. 13 others died in the chopper crash while flying from Sulur Air Base to Wellington. A top level inquiry has been initiated to ascertain the cause behind the crash of their Mi17V5 Air Force chopper.
"Group Captain Varun Singh served the nation with pride, valour and utmost professionalism. I am extremely anguished by his passing away. His rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, when the news of his death was made official.