By The Sampadak Express
The small village of Rewari in Haryana witnessed an emotional farewell as villagers and family members bid a tearful adieu to Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav, who tragically lost his life in a Jaguar fighter aircraft crash in Gujarat on the night of April 3. The somber procession saw heart-wrenching scenes, particularly as Siddharth’s fiancée, Saniya, broke down beside his coffin, pleading in despair, “Just let me see his face one more time.” In a viral video, Saniya, with a shattered heart, was heard saying in Hindi, “Baby, you didn’t come to take me… you promised you would,” leaving everyone in attendance in tears.
Siddharth and Saniya had gotten engaged on March 23, and their wedding was scheduled for November 2, a future now tragically erased. The funeral procession saw an outpouring of grief as Siddharth’s mortal remains arrived at his village. A large crowd of mourners, including family, villagers, and dignitaries, gathered to pay their respects. In a deeply emotional moment, Siddharth’s mother fainted from the shock of seeing her son’s body. To comfort her, Air Force officers placed Siddharth’s cap on her head and handed her his photograph.
In an emotional reflection, Siddharth’s father, Sushil Yadav, a former Air Force personnel, expressed his profound grief. “My dream was to see him return as Chief of Air Staff. Every Air Force father has that dream,” he said, his voice filled with sorrow. “Preparations were in full swing for his wedding,” he added, struggling to hold back tears.
The ceremony was attended by several prominent figures, including former Haryana minister Banwari Lal, BJP MLA Krishan Kumar from Rewari, senior officers from the Indian Air Force, police officers, and countless locals, all gathered to pay tribute to the braveheart.
A Legacy of Service to the Nation
Siddharth hailed from a family with a long-standing tradition of military service. His great-grandfather had served in the Bengal Engineers during British rule, his grandfather in the paramilitary forces, and his father, Sushil Yadav, had a distinguished career in the Indian Air Force. Though Sushil Yadav now works with LIC, he had built a home in Sector-18, Rewari, where his son’s wedding was meant to take place.
Siddharth’s journey to becoming an IAF officer began when he cleared the NDA exam in 2016, followed by three years of rigorous training. He was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force and had recently returned home on leave. On March 31, he left for duty again, just days before the tragic crash.
The crash occurred on April 2, when a Jaguar aircraft took off from the Jamnagar air base and crashed shortly afterward. While Siddharth lost his life in the accident, another officer, Manoj Kumar Singh, sustained serious injuries.
A Mother’s Tribute to Her Brave Son
Siddharth’s mother, Sushila Devi, spoke to reporters with pride despite her immense grief. Holding a picture of her son in her hands, she shared a poignant message: “I would urge every mother to definitely send their sons to join the forces. I am proud that I gave birth to such a braveheart.” Her unwavering pride in her son’s service to the nation resonated deeply as she expressed her unshakeable belief in the importance of serving the motherland.
The tragic death of Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav has left a deep void in the hearts of those who knew him. His sacrifice will forever be remembered as a testament to his dedication and courage in serving the nation.
