As Major Dhoundiyal's coffin was kept wrapped in the Tricolour at his residence, his wife Nikita Kaul, whom he had married less than a year ago, stood right next to it. Trying to hold back her tears, she looked on into the coffin, murmuring the last few endearing words to her husband, in disbelief.
Thousands of people, including army personnel, on Tuesday paid their last respects to Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal, who died fighting terrorists in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, at his residence in Dehradun.
As Major Dhoundiyal's coffin was kept wrapped in the Tricolour at his residence, his wife Nikita Kaul, whom he had married less than a year ago, stood right next to it. Trying to hold back her tears, she looked on into the coffin, murmuring the last few endearing words to her husband, in disbelief. Becoming a pillar of support for the family, she was also seen holding on to his mother Saroj, a cardiac patient, who could not contain her tears looking at her son's body.
Nitika's message to her late husband Army Major VS Dhoundiyal: I'm really proud. We all love you. The way you love everyone is entirely different because you sacrifice your life for the people who you may have never contacted, but still you decided to give your life for them. pic.twitter.com/4ENLkjjkcw
— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2019
Nitika's message to her late husband Army Major VS Dhoundiyal: You are such a brave man. I am very honoured to have you as my husband. I'll love you till my last breath. I owe my life to you. Yes it's hurting that you're leaving but I know you will always be around https://t.co/uUn7LQKknM
— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2019
Nitika's message to her late husband Army Major VS Dhoundiyal who lost his life in encounter in Pulwama y'day: I'll request everyone not to sympathise,rather be very strong because this man holds a position very larger than any of us standing here. Let's salute this man. Jai Hind https://t.co/Pbj3V8Qvt1
— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2019
In the encounter, four army personnel including Major Dhoundiyal, and a civilian lost their lives.
A host of relatives and friends were seen remembering Major Dhoundiyal amid cries of "Shaheed Dhoundiyal Amar Rahein" and "Vande Mataram". The extent of reverence for the fallen soldier could be seen with the images that showed people who had climbed on rooftops and waited on either side of the road which led to the officer's residence.
(Inputs from agencies)
1. 'I'm really proud'
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Nitika's message to her late husband Army Major VS Dhoundiyal: "I'm really proud. We all love you. The way you love everyone is entirely different because you sacrifice your life for the people who you may have never contacted, but still you decided to give your life for them." (PTI photo)
2. Major Dhoundiyal and Nikita were married less than a year ago
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Holding back her tears, Nikita said, "You are such a brave man. I am very honoured to have you as my husband. I'll love you till my last breath. I owe my life to you. Yes it's hurting that you're leaving but I know you will always be around."
3. ' Let's salute this man'
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Major Dhoundiyal's wife Nikita Kaul, whom he had married less than a year ago, cried inconsolably at his coffin. She said, 'I'll request everyone not to sympathise, rather be very strong because this man holds a position very larger than any of us standing here. Let's salute this man. Jai Hind'.
4. Grandmother of Major Dhoundiyal mourn near his mortal remains
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Grandmother of Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal, who was martyred in Pulwama encounter with Jaish e Mohammed (JeM) terrorists, mourn near his mortal remains which were brought to his home in Dehradun. (PTI Photo)
5. Last respects to the mortal remains of Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal
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Army personnel and people pay their last respects to the mortal remains of Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal, who lost his life in Pulwama encounter with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists, ahead of his funeral, in Dehradun. (PTI Photo)
6. Thousands gathered to pay homage to the Major
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Thousands of people, including army personnel gathered at Major Dhoundiyal's funeral to pay homage to him
7. 'Shaheed Dhoundiyal Amar Rahein'
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Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat was also present at the funeral. He placed a wreath on the coffin amid cries of "Shaheed Dhoundiyal Amar Rahein" and "Vande Mataram".
People had climbed to rooftops and also stood on either side of the road leading to the officer's residence
8. Prominent personalities turn up to pay last respects
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Prominent among those who turned up to pay their last respects to Major Dhoundiyal included state cabinet minister Satpal Maharaj, ex-MP Tarun Vijay, state assembly Speaker Premchand Agarwal, BJP MLA Ganesh Joshi and Dehradun Mayor Sunil Uniyal Gama
