28.5c India
Thomas Cherian, an Indian Army soldier who died in a plane crash over the Rohtang Pass in 1968, was laid to rest with full military honours at St. Peter's Orthodox Church in Karur, Pathanamthitta, 56 years after his remains were discovered. A sorrowful ceremony attended by dignitaries and family commemorated the 22-year-old's final journey from Elanthoor.
Cherian's remains were preserved in the Pangode Military Camp in Thiruvananthapuram before being brought to the home of his nephew, Shaiju K. Mathew, on Friday morning. A ceremonial procession carried Elanthoor's mortal remains to his family home, where Metropolitan Kuriakose Mar Clemis presided over the funeral liturgy.
The State Police provided a guard of honour before the church parade. Metropolitan Abraham Mar Seraphim presided over the last ceremonies at the burial place.
Health Minister Veena George paid tribute on behalf of the state government, and Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony extended Rahul Gandhi's condolences. Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, who represents Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had already visited the family.
Cherian was one of 102 passengers on an Indian Air Force Antonov-12 that vanished on February 7, 1968, while flying from Chandigarh to Leh. The Dogra Scouts and the Tiranga Mountain Rescue team worked together to collect his remains and three others.