Died in crash, Coast Guard crew member had plan to celebrate son’s birthday

Karan Singh, one of the two crew members who died after an Indian Coast Guard (ICG) helicopter crashed into the Arabian Sea off Gujarat coast on Monday, was scheduled to come home at his native Davla village in Jhajjar district next month to celebrate the first birthday of his son.

“My nephew Rudra was born on October 15 last year and we had planned to celebrate his first birthday with a get-together of all family members. Karan along with his wife, three-year-old daughter and son was to come to the village from Gujarat on October 14. Since he was staying in his official accommodation in Gujarat, he had invited me there some days before his son’s birthday so that we could go to the village together in his new car,” said Arjun Bharti, younger brother of Karan.

He said that Karan had also got a rail ticket booked for their mother Sumitra Devi, who was to leave for Gujarat on September 15 to spend a few days with his family but the tragic incident ruined everything.

“We had never thought even in our dreams that we would face difficult times. He got me a car in January and later bought another one for himself. Karan had called me to Gujarat in October to drive this car to our native Davla village,” said Arjun, who works at the Civil Hospital in Jhajjar city.

He added that Karan was talking to his mother over the phone on Monday when he received a message to proceed on an emergency operation to evacuate a seriously injured crew member from an Indian-flagged motor tanker that was sailing around 40 km from the coast of Porbandar.

Arjun said, “We got the tragic news of Karan’s death in the helicopter crash on Tuesday morning. Thereafter, I rushed to Gujarat. I will return to our village on Thursday morning with other family members and Karan’s body. Karan had joined service over 10 years ago. His team with the help of a helicopter had recently played a crucial role in rescuing 67 lives during cyclonic weather in Gujarat. He always performed his duty with full dedication and honesty.”

Meanwhile, a pall of gloom descended on the village as soon as the news of the tragic incident spread Tuesday evening. Villagers started gathering at Karan’s house to console the bereaved family. His body will be brought to the village on Thursday morning for cremation.

Nitesh Kumar, husband of Davla village sarpanch, said that all villagers were proud of Karan. “A place is being prepared for his cremation in the village. It will be later developed as a memorial to him,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, BJP national secretary and former minister Om Prakash Dhankar have expressed their condolences over the sad demise of the Jhajjar lad while performing his duty.