Decades after aircraft crash, Thomas Cherian's mortal remains laid to rest

Pathanamthitta: After 56 years, Thomas Cherian, a Malayali soldier who tragically died in a plane crash in Himachal Pradesh, was laid to rest with full military honours in Elanthur. Cherian was buried at St. Peter’s Orthodox Church in Karoor on Friday afternoon.

Although his family initially wished to bury him in the family cemetery, the church committee, in honour of soldiers who died in national service, arranged a special resting place.

Crash in Rohtang Pass

In 1968, a plane crash occurred in Rohtang Pass, claiming the life of 26-year-old Thomas Cherian. His body was found 56 years later and was claimed by his younger brother, Thomas Thomas, who is now 73 years old. Along with him, the bodies of three others were recovered after a search that spanned decades. Earlier, in 2019, five bodies were found at the same crash site. Cherian had joined the army at 18, and was on his way back from there when tragedy struck.

Family's long wait

The family of Cherian had been waiting for closure for more than five decades. Both his father, O.M. Thomas, and mother, Eliamma, passed away without knowing the fate of their son. After their deaths, the burden of waiting fell on his three brothers. Thomas Thomas fondly recalls the last time he saw his elder brother at Chengannur railway station. He had been home on vacation after starting his job at Haridwar BHEL when his brother came to bid him farewell. Decades later, when the body was finally returned, the 26-year-old soldier inside the coffin looked as though no time had passed.

The body of Cherian was received at Thiruvananthapuram airport by his relatives, senior military officers, and ministers. Union Minister Suresh Gopi, Kerala Health Minister Veena George, Brigadier M P Salil from Pangode Army Camp, Air Force Base Director Capt. T N Manikandan, and Director of Sainik Welfare Board Capt. Sheeba Ravi were among those who paid their respects.

Following the guard of honour by soldiers, the body was transferred to the mortuary at Pangode Army Camp. On Friday morning, it was transported from the military camp to Elanthur Junction with a military escort at 10:30 am. From there, it was taken to his family home with the same military honours. 

Final journey and funeral

The funeral procession began at 12:40 pm, led by Kuriakose Mar Clemis Metropolitan. The body was kept for public viewing at St. Peter's Orthodox Church, from 1 pm to 2 pm, after which the funeral service, led by Dr. Abraham Mar Seraphim Metropolitan, took place. Hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects to the brave soldier, who was finally laid to rest with full military honours in a specially prepared grave.