Eguvaradiepalle village bids emotional adieu to beloved soldier Lance Naik Sai Teja

Chittoor, AP: Each person in Eguvaradiepalle village chanted 'Jai Jawan' as the ambulance carrying the mortal remains of Lance Naik B Sai Teja arrived at his residence on the evening of 12th December. It was a heartbreaking scene witnessed at the village in Chittoor district, with thousands of locals, students, and family members surrounding the ambulance to carry his remains and pay tributes.

It may be recalled that Lance Naik Sai Teja was one among 13 people including Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat who died in a helicopter crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. Lance Naik Sai Teja was the Personal Security Officer for General Bipin Rawat and a soldier who dedicated his life to the nation.

Lance Naik Sai Teja, who was an inspiration to many, was escorted by school students, locals, Military and Police personnel to his village. His last rites were performed at his native village by his father and brother who carried his five-year-old son. It was an uncontrollable situation where his father B Mohan was in tears, while Lance Naik Sai Teja's wife Syamala collapsed holding the coffin.

On behalf of the Andhra Pradesh Police Department, Superintendent of Police, Chittoor S Senthil, and Superintendent of Police, Tirupathi Venkata Appala Naidu attended the funeral and paid tributes to the soldier,

Deputy Chief Minister K Narayana Swamy and Panchayat Raj Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy visited Eguvaradiepalle and consoled Lance Naik Sai Teja's family. They handed over a cheque for Rs 50 lakh to Lance Naik Sai Teja's family members, on behalf of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, and assured that the State government will extend all support to their family.

His family had last seen him in September when he visited them for Vinayak Chavithi.

Lance Naik Sai Teja last spoke to his wife Syamala, his three-year-old son, and his two-year-old daughter on the morning of 8th December before boarding the flight.

The family remembers Lance Naik Sai Teja as an active person since he was a child when he used to take part in sports. After completing his degree in Madanapalle, he decided to join the Army. He had prepared for Army selections in Guntur and joined the services as a soldier.

His younger brother Mahesh Babu is also in the Army and is currently posted in Himachal Pradesh.

Lance Naik Sai Teja had worked hard to serve the country, the family says. In 2012, he was selected for the Bangalore Regiment and served in Jammu and Kashmir for a while. A year later, he qualified as Para Commando and joined the 11 Para SF as the personal security officer (PSO) of General Bipin Rawat seven months ago.