“He did not go anywhere but remains with us” says C Manjula, the mother of K Praveen, the IAF chopper pilot, who recently lost his life during rescue operations in Uttarakhand, on his 28th birth anniversary here on Sunday.
Speaking to Express, Manjula said “We couldn’t find answers to why God took Praveen from us after giving so much hope in him as the perfect son; I had gone to three temples on the day he died. He was used to guide me in many ways”.
She said that many well-wishers had suggested ways to forget memories of Praveen in a bid to comfort her.
“We were always complimented for being the perfect mother and son and I want it to continue,” Manjula says, affirming that she did not want to forget her son.
Manjula revealed that the family used to celebrate his birthday even after he joined the IAF with relatives calling him at 12 am in order to wish him. The family also used to give food to children at an orphanage children on his birthday.
Manjula noted that MDMK general secretary Vaiko had visited the family, spending over an hour to express his grief. The family has started the ‘Indian Air Force Flight Lieutenant K Praveen (Pilot) Trust in their son’s memory to aid the needy. Manjula said that the trust would use the State’s assistance of `10 lakh, and added that the trust would start honouring toppers at his former school and college.