Bangalore: The last rites of Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar, a medical student who died in Russian shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine, were performed in his native village Chalageri here on Monday moarning. His family performed the rites in accordance with Veerashaiva Lingayat traditions.

The mortal remains will be displayed for public inspection until 2 p.m. before being turned over to the private medical college. People from neighbouring villages have gathered to pay their respects to Naveen. Several students who had returned from war-torn Ukraine also came to pay their respects. Praveen, who returned safely from Ukraine, stated that Naveen was a rank holder who guided juniors there.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who was present when Naveen's body came from Dubai at 3 a.m. on Monday, is also expected to visit the native village to express his condolences to family.

Naveen's mother, Vijayalakshmi, remembered her son as a selfless bringer, saying he was killed while out fetching food for his friends. She stated that the family has opted to donate his body to the medical college in order to make his death more meaningful. "In his final moments, my son's decision to go out was unselfish," she said again.

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