Hubballi: Tears flowed freely and floral tributes were paid to cries of 'Hanumanthappa amar rahe' as braveheart, Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad made his last journey in a convoy to his village of Betadur, before being laid to rest with full state and military honours Friday afternoon.
The rites were performed according to Lingayat tradition by his brother, Govindappa Koppad.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Channabasava Swamiji of Neelagund Mutt and several political bigwigs attended the funeral of the soldier, who lost the battle for his life despite miraculously surviving being buried under 35 feet of snow in the Siachen glacier for six days.
He was brought to Hubballi by a special aircraft late Thursday. Later as the Lance Naik was taken on his last journey to Betadur village in an ambulance, the convoy was waylaid by people offering floral tribute even as chants of 'Hanumanthappa Amar Rahe' rent the air.
