Fitting tribute to IAF engineer

SAMBALPUR: It was a heroic send-off to departed Indian Air Force (IAF) engineer Debendra Panda on Monday. Debendra was killed in July 25 helicopter crash in Uttar Pradesh.
The body that was brought to Sambalpur on Sunday and taken to his native Kudapali village in Bargarh district, 50 km from here, on Monday. He was cremated on the banks of the Mahanadi there.
Locals paid rich tribute to Debendra while police gave a guard of honour and gun salute as a mark of respect. Debendra was the son of Manabhanjan Panda and Madhavi Panda.
Attabira tahasildar Rebika Bilung and SDPO (Bargarh) S M Raheman were present at the time of cremation.
"It was a sorrowful moment for the villagers, who lost a son of the soil. Everyone mourned the untimely death of the brave officer," Raheman said.
Official sources said his widow Jyoti and six-year-old daughter Siddhi, who were residing with Debendra in Meerut, flew to Bhubaneswar and reached Sambalpur by road late night.
"I do not know how to continue my life without him. I was not expecting him to leave me so early," Jyoti said.
"He was a charming youth. He used to talk to everyone whenever he visited the village. He had promised to come during Puja vacation, but it is sad that his body came," said villager Ananta Mishra.
Debendra joined IAF 17 years back after completing Plus II.