PUNE: Colonel Waibhav Kale (retd), who was killed in Gaza while on United Nations (UN) duty, was cremated with the state honour at the crematorium in Pune cantonment limit on Friday evening.
Kale, 46, was killed, and another staffer from the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) from Jordan was injured when their UN-marked vehicle was struck when they were travelling to the European hospital in war-torn Rafah in Gaza on Monday morning.
Family members, relatives, friends, course mates, serving and retired armed forces personnel and citizens were present in large numbers to pay respects to the officer.
They recalled the fond memories of him on the sidelines.
Kale’s coffin was draped in tricolours and UN flags. It arrived at the crematorium amid chanting of ‘Waibhav Kale Amar Rahe’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.
His coursemates of the National Defence Academy (NDA) had come from New Delhi to pay tributes to their ‘buddy’.
“It is the last salute to him,” said a Colonel, who shared fond memories of the NDA on the sidelines.
“In the academy, he was everywhere. Each event he would participate in. He was a gem of a person. One can bank on him for anything and everything. I can not describe him at the moment,” he said with a choking voice on the occasion.
Kale was from the 97th course and was from the ‘November’ squadron of the NDA.
“It is unfortunate to tell this at the moment. But I met Kale first in Pune (at the NDA) and now bid adieu in the same city. Unfortunate coincidence,” said Colonel, another coursemate.
Recalling fond memories of Kale, the officer said, “His infectious smile I will never forget.”
“He was a fine, soft-spoken and brave infantry officer of the Army. His juniors and seniors respected him wherever he served for his highest standard of professionalism,” said the officer.
Kale’s cousin Harshad Kale flew from Australia to pay tribute to his brave brother.
“I would not stay peacefully without paying him my tributes. So I flew to India as soon as I got a new four days ago,” he said.
“I have numerous memories of him. We attended several functions, rituals, marriages, home functions, spent summer holidays, roamed and shared all precious moments of life. It is hard to explain and believe his untimely demise,” said Harshad.
“Just before going to Gaza, we have had a brief conversation. He had told me ‘not to worry’. We were also not worried since he served under the UN. I have never thought or imagined that we would lose him in the line of duty,” said Harshad.
Joining the Indian Army was his childhood dream, said cousin Chinmay.
“In his third attempt, he cleared the services selection board (SSB) interview and joined the NDA in 1997. He had participated in served counter-insurgency operations. He served in difficult terrains, including at Siachen Glacier. He took premature retirement due to the family requirements,” Kale added.
Lt Col Satish Hange (retd) and Kale had served together in the Western sector and the National Cadet Corps (NCC) unit in Mumbai.
Hange, the Pune district Sainik Welfare Officer, was responsible for looking after the arrangement of the last rites, said, “It is hard to believe his death.”
“When the terrorist attack took place on the Pathankot air base in 2016, Kale and I were serving under the Western Command. We then served together in the NCC unit. Kale commanded the NCC unit in Mumbai. We stayed in the same building. We would meet often. He was one of my close friends. I will cherish fond memories of him forever,” said Hange.
Veterans and serving army officers laid wreaths to pay tribute to the brave souls.
Kale, 46, was killed, and another staffer from the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) from Jordan was injured when their UN-marked vehicle was struck when they were travelling to the European hospital in war-torn Rafah in Gaza on Monday morning.
Family members, relatives, friends, course mates, serving and retired armed forces personnel and citizens were present in large numbers to pay respects to the officer.
They recalled the fond memories of him on the sidelines.
Kale’s coffin was draped in tricolours and UN flags. It arrived at the crematorium amid chanting of ‘Waibhav Kale Amar Rahe’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.
His coursemates of the National Defence Academy (NDA) had come from New Delhi to pay tributes to their ‘buddy’.
“It is the last salute to him,” said a Colonel, who shared fond memories of the NDA on the sidelines.
“In the academy, he was everywhere. Each event he would participate in. He was a gem of a person. One can bank on him for anything and everything. I can not describe him at the moment,” he said with a choking voice on the occasion.
Kale was from the 97th course and was from the ‘November’ squadron of the NDA.
“It is unfortunate to tell this at the moment. But I met Kale first in Pune (at the NDA) and now bid adieu in the same city. Unfortunate coincidence,” said Colonel, another coursemate.
Recalling fond memories of Kale, the officer said, “His infectious smile I will never forget.”
“He was a fine, soft-spoken and brave infantry officer of the Army. His juniors and seniors respected him wherever he served for his highest standard of professionalism,” said the officer.
Kale’s cousin Harshad Kale flew from Australia to pay tribute to his brave brother.
“I would not stay peacefully without paying him my tributes. So I flew to India as soon as I got a new four days ago,” he said.
“I have numerous memories of him. We attended several functions, rituals, marriages, home functions, spent summer holidays, roamed and shared all precious moments of life. It is hard to explain and believe his untimely demise,” said Harshad.
“Just before going to Gaza, we have had a brief conversation. He had told me ‘not to worry’. We were also not worried since he served under the UN. I have never thought or imagined that we would lose him in the line of duty,” said Harshad.
Joining the Indian Army was his childhood dream, said cousin Chinmay.
“In his third attempt, he cleared the services selection board (SSB) interview and joined the NDA in 1997. He had participated in served counter-insurgency operations. He served in difficult terrains, including at Siachen Glacier. He took premature retirement due to the family requirements,” Kale added.
Lt Col Satish Hange (retd) and Kale had served together in the Western sector and the National Cadet Corps (NCC) unit in Mumbai.
Hange, the Pune district Sainik Welfare Officer, was responsible for looking after the arrangement of the last rites, said, “It is hard to believe his death.”
“When the terrorist attack took place on the Pathankot air base in 2016, Kale and I were serving under the Western Command. We then served together in the NCC unit. Kale commanded the NCC unit in Mumbai. We stayed in the same building. We would meet often. He was one of my close friends. I will cherish fond memories of him forever,” said Hange.
Veterans and serving army officers laid wreaths to pay tribute to the brave souls.