Words of a True Patriot (Worthy Read) - Father of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan

A charming face. Can you identify who ?

Dear (s)

It is about to be one year of the carnage – the 26th Nov 2008 Mumbai attacks – coordianted shooting and bombing carnage across the Commecial capital of India. They began on 26/11 and lasted until 29th Nov leaving atleast 173 people killed and another 310 + severely wounded, damaging the Indian economy and psyche in its trail.

The investigations revealed that the attackers had travelled by sea from Karachi, Pakistan across the Arabian Sea, hijacked the Indian fishing trawler 'Kuber', killing the crew, and then entered Mumbai on a rubber dinghy. Due to the sacrifice of Omble, we have a captured terrorist – Ajmal Kasab whose trial began on 6th May 2009. He initially pleaded not guilty, but later admitted his guilt on 20 July 2009. The court had accepted his plea, but due to the lack of completeness within his admittance, the judge had deemed that many of the 86 charges were not addressed and therefore the trial will continue. Kasab could, and will almost certainly, be hanged if given the maximum penalty of death.

The Mumbai terror attack seemed to have its link everywhere around the globe. This time it’s Italy in the list. The case is not going to end so fast. Even for a heinous crime of this nature, the Govt. is looking to its counterparts in Pakistan for taking some action as the entire sordid episode was planned there and plotted from many corners of the globe.

There were many heroes who sacrified their life. Hemant Karkare to many other police men. A 31 year old brave man born in Cheruvannur, Kozhikode on March 15, 1977 was Sandeep Unnikrishnan who served as Major in the Indian army – in its elitist NSG. Major Sandeep was the only son of retired ISRO officer Mr. K. Unnikrishnan and Mrs. Dhanalakshmi.

Even if you have had read this interview of Mr K Unnikrishnan elsewhere, it certainly is worthy and necessary to spend some time reading this : (excerpts from TOI of date)

With regards – S Sampathkumar.

Everybody wants a Bhagat Singh or Bose, but not in their house’

Bangalore: 26/11/08, 11.30 pm. He last spoke to his father, asking him to watch the “interesting episode outside hotel Taj shown live on TV.” A day later, he was seen there, lying dead, on the same screen. What was thought to be a minor one-hour operation for the NSG turned into India’s worst encounter with terrorism. To say that the year that passed by has not been easy for Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s parents in Bangalore would be the understatement of the year. They are still shaken by what happened to their only child and uncertain of what lies ahead. The travels and people enroute get them closer to what happened. But their plan for this November 27 (Sandeep’s first death anniversary) is clear: “It will be a day at the new Palm lounge in Mumbai constructed on the very spot where he lay dead. We will reserve that particular table and chair. We are not away from him. We want to be with him that day,” his father K Unnikrishnan told TOI.

Your reaction to the entire 26/11 episode

There’s no point in it. Kasab is an offender. They are still keeping him alive. One can say Kasab was a machine used by them but he has a brain. They had all gone for their purpose. I have a problem - Not that he had any tussle with Sandeep.

He has killed many innocent people. We have seen him shooting. He and his colleagues killed 53 innocent people including pregnant ladies and small children. He was standing, shooting and laughing. Who is he? And we are asking Pakistan to do something. He should be hanged on a lamp post. Hang him high! It’s not revenge but that should be a lesson to other terrorists. Shooting innocent people is a coward’s job. Such people must be butchered. It’s not that they killed Sandeep or Karkare. Blow the train or building but why shoot and kill innocent people?

Getting over the loss and tussle with Kerala CM

When I first heard it on TV, all of a sudden, I thought it was end of the world. Next moment I realised, nothing has changed, except Sandeep. Later on, I remember everything, including Mr Achudanandan’s visit. People said I acted that way because I was emotional. But no, it was on purpose. I never had any problems with him nor abused him. Just that I didn’t want anyone to take undue credit.

How was it going to Mumbai, visiting the exact spot?

Surely it was not easy. Yet another sad chapter was meeting the survivors in his team. Eight out of the 11 have joined back. But, other three people, one captain lost his eye. Luckily he got married. It was fixed before the attack and she’s a doctor. But he may lose his other eye also over a period of 5 years. Another person who was in Trident hotel suffered total head injury as he was caught in one of the explosions. He still has a particle in his head. It was a simple operation for them. Perhaps the darkness affected it a bit.

Sandeep inspired many with his brave act. How does it feel?

I am proud of what he did but did not want to lose him anytime. Sometimes, I feel it’s an individual futile effort what Sandeep has done. What he’s done is surely good for five generations. But now I feel that another person in the family should not commit this until I am assured that no 26/11 will happen again. Everyone wants children like Bhagat Singh or a Bose but in neighbour’s house. I too feel so now. We don’t want money. I am actually giving it back now in parts. Sandeep’s sixth pay commission arrears is more than enough. Only that is our right.