Chandigarh: Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav was laid to rest with full military honours on Friday in Rewari, Haryana, in an emotional moment of national pride and sorrow. A large gathering – former soldiers, family members, and friends – all paid their respects to this courageous officer who died tragically when his Jaguar fighter jet crashed near Jamnagar Air Force Station near Gujarat. Siddharth died aged 28.
Mourners holding the national flag presented flowers to Siddharth’s coffin as they bid farewell. Siddharth was recently engaged to Sonia just 10 days prior to his untimely demise; unfortunately fate had different plans. The couple planned their wedding date for November 2, but this exciting plan has taken an unexpected path instead.
As Sonia lay holding Siddharth’s lifeless body, she could barely contain herself; repeatedly crying out through tears that it was time for them to come and take her with them, her emotional cries filled the room and left everyone present in tears. Video footage has since gone viral on social media, showing Sonia and Siddharth in mournful mourning and capturing the raw and painful grief of losing someone so unexpectedly.
Siddharth Yadav came from a military family with an esteemed military tradition and was an exceptionally gifted student. His father, Sushil Yadav, had served in the Indian Air Force, as had both grandfather and great-grandfather; Sushil spoke proudly about how Siddharth had saved lives at great personal cost while saving himself as well. Sushil said his pride would always remain, yet losing one so soon would leave unimaginable pain behind: he said his sacrifice “will always make him proud while the pain of losing him is unimaginable”. Sushil was deeply moved when asked by the media about what had caused this tragedy: his sole son Sushil expressed deep pride that Siddharth had made a sacrifice. “His sacrifice will always remain proud; yet the pain of losing him is unimaginable.”
On the night of the crash, tragic news came pouring in for Siddharth Yadav and his family when their Commanding Air Officer called to inform them of his death in an accident involving two pilots – while one pilot had been saved and one had perished due to lack of airspace – another pilot named Siddharth had perished due to heroic efforts despite imminent death. Though tragic, his memory brought immense comfort for family members grieving his passing.