Pathankot attack: Lt. Colonel Niranjan Kumar, ‘Dude of Nation’ for cousins

BENGALURU: “Dude of the nation” was the name given to the 35-year-old Lt Col Niranjan Kumar by his cousins, friends and family members. Lt Col Kumar who was killed while defusing a live grenade on the body of a slain terrorist at the Pathankot airbase on Sunday.

Niranjan's cousin, Girish, a HR employee, told Deccan Chronicle that Lt Col Kumar was an icon for his family members. It was, in fact, Niranjan who inspired his elder brother Sharath Chandra to join the Air Force. “From his childhood, he wanted to wear the Army uniform, and he always dreamt of laying down his life for the country. Sadly for us, it has come true” Girish said.

Niranjan was just three years old when his mother Rajeshwari passed away after an illness. His father E.K. Shivarajan (68), a retired BEL employee, married Radha. Of the four children, Niranjan was Radha’s apple of the eye.

Born and brought up in Bengaluru, Lt Col Kumar did his schooling from BP Indian Public School in Malleswaram. He then went to BEL PU College in Jalahalli, where he took up PCMB before joining BSc at St. Joseph’s College. A sport enthusiast, Lt Col Kumar’s favourite sport was basketball and kick boxing.

King of hearts

“Brothers, where are you all? I am in the city. Let's meet and relive our childhood days,” would be the first message from Niranajan whenever he was in the city.

Niranjan’s younger brother Shahshank told Deccan Chronicle, “He had come home just a month ago."

Niranjan was promoted as Lt. Colonel from the rank of Major recently. His uncle said, “I last spoke to him in October when he called to inform me about his promotion. He was very happy.”

Soon after the news of his death spread, hundreds of local residents and Niranjan’s friends thronged his house to meet the grieving family.