Karnal bids tearful adieu to its son Lt Vinay Narwal

Time stood still at Dr Mangalsen Auditorium on Sunday as hundreds gathered to pay their final respects to Lt Vinay Narwal, the young naval officer who died in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. The atmosphere was a mix of pride and deep sorrow, as an entire community came together to honour a son of the soil.

Vinay’s wife, Himanshi, stood in quiet dignity, saluting the man she had married just days earlier, on April 16. The most poignant moment came from his sister, Srishti, whose tribute moved the gathering to tears.

“He was Dada-Dadi’s ladla,” she recalled, her voice trembling. “When he came home from Kochi, he never told them in advance — he loved to surprise them by slipping into bed beside them like a child.”

Through stories of Vinay’s love for churma and his dreams as a soldier, Srishti brought her brother to life before the crowd. “He watched LoC Kargil countless times, always saying, ‘One day, I too will return wrapped in the Tricolour.’ I never thought it would come true,” she said.

Her final words stunned the packed hall: “The brother who shielded me from firecrackers — I gave him mukhagni.” A poem she wrote for Vinay left the audience in silence, shaken.

The condolence meeting was attended by several dignitaries, including Haryana Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, Suman Saini (wife of CM Nayab Singh Saini), Mayor Renu Bala Gupta, MLAs Jagmohan Anand and Yogendra Rana, and former Speaker Kuldeep Sharma. All echoed a common sentiment — Lt Narwal’s sacrifice belongs to the entire nation.

Speaker Kalyan said, “Vinay had just begun his journey. His life was a flame snuffed out too soon by terror. His sacrifice has shaken not just our state, but the nation.”

Suman Saini said, “We salute the parents who raised a braveheart and the wife who stood by him even in his final moments.”

Vinay’s grandfather, Hawa Singh, saluted his framed photograph with moist eyes: “He is immortal. He is our pride.”

MLA Jagmohan Anand said, “This is not just a family’s loss; the entire country mourns him.” Mayor Gupta called it a deep loss for the community, the defence forces, and the nation.

Condolence messages from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi were also read, lauding Lt Narwal’s unwavering dedication and courage.

As the prayer meet concluded, Vinay’s family stood with folded hands, thanking the people for their support and strength during this time of immense grief.

Haryana Tribune