Kanpur: The mortal remains of 17-year-old National Defence Academy (NDA) cadet Abhinav Bajpayi, who reportedly died after collapsing during training in Pune on July 10, were consigned to flames with full military honours in Unnao on Sunday. Draped in the Tricolour, the young cadet received a solemn guard of honour and aerial salute as thousands gathered to bid an emotional farewell to the aspiring officer whose sudden death has left his family and the district in grief.According to reports, Abhinav’s health suddenly deteriorated during a morning physical training session. Doctors suspect he suffered a heart attack, but the exact cause of death will be confirmed only after the postmortem report.On Sunday morning, Abhinav’s mortal remains were flown to Lucknow by an Air Force aircraft and then taken by road to his residence in Nehru Nagar, Gangaghat, in Unnao. A large number of people gathered to pay their last respects. The atmosphere turned sombre as family members and residents bid farewell to the young cadet, whose body was wrapped in the Tricolour.Abhinav’s father, Pradeep Kumar Bajpayee, is a ward orderly at a government hospital in Kanpur, while his mother, Seema Bajpayee, is a homemaker. His elder sister, Anshika, 25, is an MBBS student at GSVM Medical College, Kanpur.Abhinav passed the Intermediate examination in 2026 from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kanpur Cantonment. He was selected for the National Defence Academy and reported to Pune for training on June 24.According to a statement issued by the NDA, Abhinav was participating in his first official physical training parade when he complained of uneasiness, fainted and collapsed. He was immediately rushed to the Military Hospital in Khadakwasla, where doctors made every effort to revive him, but he could not be saved.Sadar MLA Pankaj Gupta visited Abhinav’s residence and consoled the bereaved family. He described the untimely death of the talented, disciplined and patriotic youth as an irreparable loss for the entire district.
