Copter crash: Major was set for aero show

VIZIANAGARAM: Bhanu Chander Gupta's parents were waiting to watch his aerobatics display at the Aero India show in Bangalore in a few days. Little did they realise that they would be receiving his coffin from Nashik where he was killed in a helicopter crash on Wednesday.
Thirty-year-old Major Bhanu Chander's life was cut short when his Chetak helicopter developed a snag and crashed.His co-pilot Major Atul Garje was also killed.
Bhanu Chander got married to Vidusha of Vizag just six months ago. "She was waiting for his word whether he would come personally to take the family to the Bangalore show," a sobbing uncle said. The body of Major Bhanu Chander of 669 Reconnaissance and Observation (R&O) squadron of Indian Army was brought to Vizianagaram from Nashik by a special flight on Thursday.
A gold medalist from Bits, Pilani, Major Bhanu Chander chose to serve the nation and joined the Army. He enrolled for training at the Dehradun Indian Military Academy. "Initially, his parents were against his plans to join the Army as he was the only child," another uncle recalled.
His father Nayaranam Bhanu Murthy is a rice merchant in Vizianagaram. Bhanu started his career as a lieutenant in 2003.
He was promoted as captain after three years and got another promotion as Major two months ago. He had completed the aviation training recently. He was a member of the World Army Peace Committee and participated in anti-terrorist operations in Kashmir and North Eastern states.
Earlier, floral tributes were paid to the mortal remains of the Major on arrival at the Naval Air Station INS Dega in Vizag on Thursday evening and later handed over to his family members.