THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A city-based group tried its bit for a divine intervention in saving the life of Siachen survivor Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, in vain. A few hours before his death, East Fort-based ‘Friends of Trivandrum’ was busy with the special rituals at OTC Hanuman Temple in PMG Junction for the recovery of the soldier who survived the avalanche. “He has reached the abode of Lord. Our prayers are for the soldier who died while protecting the country,” said P K S Rajan, the president of ‘Friends of Trivandrum’.
Hanumanthappa, who was miraculously found alive after remaining buried under huge mass of snow for six days at Siachen Glacier, died around 11.45 am at Army Research and Referral Hospital. Various organisation across the country had prayed for his recovery.
At Hanuman Temple, special offerings in the form of butter and garlands of ‘vada’, betel leaves, lemons etc were made. The Hanuman Temple was chosen as the soldier shared the name with the deity, said Rajan. The temple was set up by the Nair Brigade of the erstwhile Travancore king.
The NGO had similarly held a solidarity meeting during the time of Kargil war. It offered prayers for the recovery of actor Jagathy Sreekumar when he met with a road accident and for the smooth sailing of Vizhijam port project.
“We do not have any politics. Members from various political parties hold key posts in our organisation,” said Rajan. It has a membership of around 5,000 in 186 units.