Twenty-five days after he was killed in a missile strike in Russia, Hemil Mangukiya was cremated in Surat on Sunday afternoon as his grieving family bid him a final farewell. Help from diamond merchants settled in Moscow and a call to a Union minister ensured that Hemil's body returned to his home in India while his loved ones waited to see him one last time. On Sunday afternoon, the Shiv Bungalows Residential Society at Umra village — where the Mangukiyas live — witnessed a huge crowd at the funeral. The cremation took place at Kathor village, about four kms from Umra. The final rites took place on Sunday a day after Hemil's father Ashwin returned from Moscow. Along with his brothers Suresh and cousin Lalit, he had left for Russia on March 11 to ensure a speedy return of his son's body after a wait of over two weeks. The family was in contact with two diamond merchants hailing from Amreli — Ashwin Sawani and Bharat Narola — in Moscow amid their struggle. Sharing the details about the journey to Russia, Hemil’s uncle Suresh Mangukiya told The Indian Express on Monday, “We landed at Moscow airport on Tuesday at 5 pm. We reached our friend Ashwin Sawani's house in Moscow where we stayed the night. The next day, along with Bharat Narola, we reached the Indian Embassy office in Moscow and talked to (First Secretary) Deepak Gauri and asked when could we get the body." "The officer told us it would take eight more days. Bharatbhai told the officials that 20 days had passed and we had lost patience. Bharatbhai, who had a close relationship with a union minister, sought his help on the phone. After some time, the official told us that they would speed up the procedures and cut down the wait to two days." After spending about 4-5 hours at the embassy office, the family members next day went to a Russian military office in Moscow. “We also wanted Hemil's address and workplace and his mobile phone and belongings. A female officer told us to contact the Western Military District at St. Petersburg where Hemil had signed contact with Russian Army officials. The distance between Moscow and the Western Military District is over 500 km. So, we decided to travel the next day. On Friday afternoon, Ashwinbhai received a call from the Indian Embassy, saying they had got Hemil's body and that it would reach India in Delhi on Saturday morning and then Surat," said Suresh. The Mangukiyas had a 16-day visa and they had booked their return for March 17. But on getting a call from the Indian Embassy, they booked the tickets for Friday. On Saturday afternoon, the trio reached Mumbai, and later in the night, they reached Surat. By Saturday afternoon, Hemil's body had reached the Surat airport from Delhi. Atul Mangukiya, younger brother of Ashwin, took possession of the body and immediately took it to SMIMER Hospital where it was kept in the morgue. Ashwin’s elder brother Ashok Mangukiya said, “We miss our son and nothing will make up for the pain. We are thankful to the Indian government and the Russian government for sending the body back to Surat. We have come to know that the entire expense of sending body from Russia to India at Delhi and Surat was borne by the Indian Embassy.” Now to claim his belongings and access his bank account, the passports of both parents are required. “Ashwinbhai’s wife Bhagwatiben does not have a passport. We will start the process. After March 29, Ashwinbhai will fly to Russia alone to collect Hemil's belongings and get the money transferred from Hemil’s bank account. We have come to know through Russian military sources that the Russian government will give compensation of Rs 50 lakh to the families of those who died in the war. Bharatbhai Narola will also accompany him," Suresh added.
