Major Prasad Mahadik, who died near Indo-China border, laid to rest in Virar

'Vande Mataram', 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' — shouted hundreds of locals from the Virar area who had come to pay their respects to martyr Major Prasad Mahadik. In February this year, 31-year-old Mahadik would have completed two years of his wedding.

Mahadik died near the Indo-China border at Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. His colleague Major Ajay Yadav said, "Prasad, who was with 7th Battalion Bihar regiment, was a good officer and a thorough professional. All we can say is that he died in a fire on December 30. An inquiry has been initiated to ascertain what led to the incident." Speaking about his cousin, Sudhakar Mahadik said, "Prasad, who had joined Indian Army five years ago, was in-charge of the place where artillery is kept. When we were first informed by the Army about Prasad having met with a mishap, we thought that he was under treatment and would survive."

Mahadik is survived by his wife Gauri, 26, father Ganesh, who works in the docks and would retire from service in two years, and mother Sharda.

"Truly speaking, we do not know what had actually happened to him," Mahadik's father told DNA. "Gauri is inconsolable. On Monday night, Prasad's body landed at Mumbai airport. Prasad was a six-foot tall man and we got only some part of his body to perform the last rights. Every New Year would revive this wound that the family has suffered," said another relative, who did not wish to be named.

"Prasad used to respect everyone and was probably the only Armyman in Virar. In our entire village there is nobody else who had joined the Army. He used to participate in Marathons and would only concentrate on his studies. Earlier, the family used to stay in Borivali but later it shifted to Virar," said Sudhakar.

Mahadik resided at Yashwant Deep CHS in the Central Park area of Virar (W), which witnessed heavy police and Army deployment. At the crematorium, Mahadik was given the guard of honour.