Naveen Shekarappa: Karnataka village bids tearful adieu to student killed in Ukraine, CM Bommai pays last respects, body to be donated after last rites

Chalageri: Thousands of people, including local politicians on Monday gathered here to pay their last respects to Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar, who was killed during shelling in Ukraine on March 1.

The villagers consoled Naveen's parents who were inconsolable.

Naveen's mortal remains arrived at Chalageri around 8 am from Kempegowda International Airport at Bengaluru. The final rites of would be conducted as per Veershaiva Lingayat traditions.

After the final rites, Naveen's body will be donated to SS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre in Haveri, the family has said.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who received Naveen's mortal remains at Bengaluru airport at 3 am, proceeded to his village later by road from Davanageri to attend the final rites.

At the international terminal, Bommai along with family members and government officials received the mortal remains.

Bommai laid a wreath on the body at the airport. After the last respects, the body was shifted to Chalageri in an ambulance.

Bommai thanked the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing back Naveen's last remains. "It is unfortunate to have lost him in Ukraine's Kharkiv shelling," Bommai told reporters here.

Naveen, who was pursuing MBBS at Kharkiv National Medical University, was killed in the shelling as he had gone to purchase groceries outside the Kharkiv metro railway station.

It was just hours after his last call to his father sending him hope of his evacuation which were already afoot at the time.

The government has already handed over a cheque of Rs 25 lakh to the family of Naveen and promised a job for a family member. (UNI)