Udupi: Pall of gloom in Malpe as John Vikram Martis laid to rest
Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SM)
Updated
Udupi, Jul 12: A pall of gloom descended over Bailakere, Malpe here as the mortal remains of John Vikram Martis (36) were brought to the residence and later laid to rest at St Anne's Church, Thottam here on Friday July 12.
A large number of relatives, friends and well-wishers visited the family's residence to pay their last respects.
Speaking to reporters, John's brother Vijay Martis said that it was a Taliban camp fight in Afghanistan that had resulted in a bomb blast which killed seven persons including John Martis on July 2.
He said that John, a BCom graduate, was a full time employee with a multi-contracting private defence company where he was working in the finance department. Vijay said that he too is employed with the same company and will continue working for it.
Vijay added that he did not know exactly how the attack took place. "The one who could explain (Vijay) is no more with us," he said.
"Bomb blasts are common in Afghanistan, every day there are 2 to 3 blasts taking place. John used to travel frequently and had been to Afghanistan 5-6 times previously," he said.
He expressed his gratitude to the Indian embassy and said that because of their coordination, the family could get John's mortal remains in just 10 days. He also thanked union minister Oscar Fernandes and ministry of external affairs and said, "As a citizen of India I am thankful to them all."
He added, "I do not have any complaint against the company. Our brother's life is already gone, and we will not ask for compensation. We are grateful to them."
Asked whether John had any plans to return, Vijay replied in the negative. "He had been working for 18 months and was very happy with his job," he said, adding that there was nothing to investigate in the matter.
Earlier Report
Mangalore: Mortal remains of John Vikram Martis brought to city
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Pics: Oneil D'Souza
Mangalore, Jul 12: The mortal remains of John Vikram Martis (36) from Malpe Bailakere, Udupi, who was killed in a bomb blast incident in Afghanistan in the first week of July, were brought to city on Friday July 12 early morning.
Martis, an employee of United Nations Organization, had been deputed to Afghanistan to work as an accountant for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces deployed in Afghanistan. He had been working in that country since the last four years.
A native of Thottam in Udupi, Martis died on July 2, along with three other Indians.
He is survived by his mother Jessy Martis and two brothers.
The body, which was brought to Mangalore International Airport by Jet Airways flight at 7 am, was taken to Udupi.
The last rites will be held the same evening at Thottam church. The funeral cortege will leave at 4 pm from residence 'Vinod Villa, Bailakere, Udupi to Thottam church and the final rites will be conducted at 4.30 pm.