By The Sampadak Express
A wave of grief swept through Jaipur as the city bid farewell to Lieutenant Colonel (Retd.) Rajveer Singh Chauhan, the pilot who lost his life in the tragic helicopter crash near Kedarnath, Uttarakhand on June 15. Emotional scenes unfolded during his funeral procession, where his wife, Lt Colonel Deepika Chauhan, was seen leading the tribute with folded hands and tears in her eyes.
A heart-wrenching video from the procession has gone viral on social media, capturing Deepika Chauhan holding a framed, garlanded photograph of her late husband. Draped in red and yellow cloth, the portrait was clutched tightly as she walked at the forefront of the funeral procession, fighting back tears while surrounded by family, friends, and dignitaries. Rajasthan Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore also joined mourners in paying respects.
Lt Colonel Rajveer Singh Chauhan (Retd.) was one of seven people who died in the helicopter crash, which occurred as the aircraft was returning from Kedarnath Dham to its base in Guptkashi. The helicopter, operated by Aryan Aviation, reportedly encountered sudden adverse weather conditions, including dense fog and overcast skies.“
We received information about the missing helicopter earlier in the morning. A search operation was immediately launched. The pilot attempted to navigate through the valley but the aircraft crashed during the effort,” said District Tourism Officer Rahul Chaubey.
State Disaster Response Force Commandant Arpan Yadhuvanshi confirmed that visibility in the valley was severely hampered at the time due to dense fog.
Victims of the Tragedy
1. Lt Colonel (Retd.) Rajveer Singh Chauhan, 35, the pilot
2. Rajkumar Suresh Jaiswal, 41, his wife Shradha, 35, and their 2-year-old daughter Kashi, a family from Maharashtra
3. Vinod Devi, 66, and her granddaughter Tusti Singh, 19
4. Vikram, 46, a temple committee member
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves across the country, especially among the armed forces community and Kedarnath pilgrims. As the investigation into the crash continues, the nation mourns the loss of seven lives each one a reminder of the risks taken by those who serve and support sacred journeys in difficult terrains.
