Date:01/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/01/stories/2008120159160400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Candlelight vigil in memory of the dead

Staff Reporter

— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

SHOWING SuppOrt: A candlelight vigil in Bangalore on Sunday to express solidarity with the families of those who died in the Mumbai terror attack.

BANGALORE: A large number of people gathered at the Mahatma Gandhi Statue here on Sunday to express solidarity with the families of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

A candlelight vigil was organised by Junior Chamber International-Bangalore Green City in the memory of the dead. Portraits of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, ATS Chief Hemant Karkare, Vijay Salaskar, Ashok Kamte, NSG commando Havildar Gajendra Singh and others who died fighting the terrorists were garlanded, and the gathering paid its respects to the brave-hearts.

Balakrishna Siripuram, secretary of the Bangalore chapter, said that others joined in and commuters stopped by to express their solidarity with the victims’ families.

“The aim was to communicate with the people that such events are unnecessary, and called for unity on the part of the people,” he said. The gathering included several families and children who lit candles on the pavement in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue.

“We wanted to also convey that we condemn such activities that affect our lives,” said Sanjay Lalwani who attended the funeral of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan on Sunday. “Many people had turned up at the funeral and it was sad that the family lost their son to a heinous activity,” he said.