Relatives of Flt Lt Praveen hail conferring of award on him

Relatives of Flight Lieutenant K Praveen, who died in helicopter crash while engaged in rescue operations in Uttarakhand floods welcomed "Shaurya Chakra" Award conferred "on him posthumously.

Madurai: Relatives of Flight Lieutenant K Praveen, who died in a helicopter crash while engaged in rescue operations in last year`s rain tragedy in Uttarakhand, on Sunday welcomed the Government`s decision to confer "Shaurya Chakra" Award on him posthumously. "The award given to him posthumously gives us satisfaction as it is a recognition to his selfless service and valour," they said.

Praveen, who hailed from this city, was Wg Cdr Darryl Castelino`s co-pilot on the ill-fated Mi-17 V5. Castelino was conferred the Kirti Chakra posthumously for saving passengers and central armed forces personnel on June 23 last year before his Mi-17 V5 chopper crashed, killing all 20 personnel on board. Praveen`s friend Mahesh Gabriell said, "It is an award for his courage and sacrifice... Now the younger generation will take him as a role model."