Braveheart Nyima Tenzin’s mortal remains laid to rest in Leh

Leh, Sep 7 (IANS) With most eyes, a final goodbye was given to Nyima Tenzin in Leh on Monday.

The Special Frontier Force officer died in action during a landmine blast while dominating peaks with his men in the south of the Pangong Lake on August 30 to thwart a PLA move to change the status quo on the ground.

With Buddhist chants in the backdrop and Indian Tricolour and Tibetan flags fluttering, the mortal remains of the martyr were taken out in a procession through Leh town.

People came out in large numbers to pay their final respects to the brave heart.

For members of the Tibetan community in Leh this was a moment to renew their resolve.

“We want to send out the message that we always stand with the people of India,” a member of the Tibetan community, who took part in the funeral procession, said.

“We are praying for the departed soul, the Tibetan community came to India in 1959, since then India has been our home,” another Tibetan community member said.

“He sacrificed his life for two countries, India and Tibet, we don’t believe in expansionism, but this is a signal we won’t allow any expansionism to take place as well,” another of the Tibetan community members said.

A gun salute was given before the funeral pyre was lit. Senior BJP leader Ram Madhav attended the funeral and condoled with his family in an acknowledgement of the sacrifice of the Tibetans.

“I hope that his sacrifice brings peace at the border, this will be a rightful tribute to his life,” BJP leader Ram Madhav said.

–IANS

zi/dpb