The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Residents pay tributes to Army officer

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Monday, Dec 03, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Residents pay tributes to Army officer

Special Correspondent

Plea to install statue and stone plaque with details about his life in the area

Relatives said they were not able to get a Nativity Certificate in his name

— Photo: A.Muralitharan

HOMAGE: Residents of Radha Nagar, Chromepet, on Sunday paying floral tribute to a portrait of Major Dinesh Raghuraman, who was killed in an encounter with extremists in early October 2007.

TAMBARAM: On Sunday, residents of Radha Nagar in Chromepet paid tributes to Major Dinesh Raghuraman who was killed in an encounter with extremists in Kashmir on October 2.

The young officer’s parents settled down on Rajaji Street, Radha Nagar, eight years ago.

The function was organised by Radha Nagar Residents Welfare Association.

The young officer’s father, Captain S. Krishnamurthy, said that after completing XIII Standard from Kendriya Vidyalaya in INA Colony, New Delhi, Dinesh joined the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, (Pune) and later, the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.

He was commissioned into 19 Jat Regiment in 1999 and his first posting was in Sriganga Nagar between Rajasthan and Punjab and close to the Pakistan border, he said. He also served in Jaisalmer and Meerut and in May 2005, married Latha, a software professional. In February 2006, he went on deputation to Rashtriya Rifles and the posting was in Drass sector, where he was based till his death.

V.Mani, president of the association, requested that Radha Nagar Main Road be renamed as ‘Major Dinesh Raghuraman Salai.’

Terming his sacrifice as supreme, D.S.Sivasamy, convener of Citizens’ Forum, said a statue of the young officer and a stone plaque with details about his life and his heroic exploits should also be installed in Radha Nagar.

Pallavaram Municipal Chairman E. Karunanidhi said it was a matter of great pride that the young officer belonged to the locality and said the local body would make all efforts to implement the two requests.

Major V. Natarajan, father of Lieutenant N. Parthiban, the 22-year-old officer who was killed in Kashmir last year, was also present on the occasion.

Relatives said that Tamil Nadu Government should do more to recognise the services of the young officer. They have not been able to get a Nativity Certificate in his name.

Major Dinesh Raghuraman was given a funeral with full military and State honours in New Delhi.

Another problem the family has been facing is redeeming a Life Insurance Corporation policy that was taken in Dinesh’s name when he was minor.

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