Schoolgirl wins hearts with her daily salute to fallen soldier

Udupi: Lahari V, a Class V student from the Govt Lower Primary School in Airbailu near Siddapur in Kundapur, has captured the admiration of locals with her quiet act of patriotism, by saluting the flex of Lance Havaldar Anoop Poojary, every day on her way to school.
Lance Havaldar Poojary,33, was among the five soldiers from the 11 Maratha Light Infantry regiment who lost their lives when an Army vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a gorge at Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, in Dec last year.
Kundapur BEO Shobha Shetty said that Lahari's gesture is entirely self-motivated. "Nobody instructed her to salute the flex with the picture of Anoop Poojary. The locals noticed it and brought it to our attention. It is a heartfelt tribute that reflects her deep respect for the armed forces," she said.
Describing the student as sincere and disciplined, she said that Lahari is academically good, completes all her assignments diligently, and practises the values instilled in her by her family, both at school and home. "We hope to felicitate her at a function soon," she said, noting that her display of patriotism is being widely appreciated in the community.
Her uncle Suresh Poojary, an agriculturist and dairy farmer, said the gesture was entirely self-initiated. "Nobody asked her to do it. One day I noticed her saluting the flex of Anoop Poojary that the locals put up and I tried to take a picture of if, but she told me, "Don't take my photo, or I will not salute any more. Recently, I followed her secretly and shot a video when she saluted the poster again. We shared it in our family group, and it went viral," he said.
Lahari comes from a family with a strong sense of service. Her father, Vasanth Poojary, who served in the police , passed away in 2018. Her mother, Usha Rani, works at the Udupi deputy commissioner's office. Lahari is the younger of two children.
"She is a patriotic child and has been doing this on her own. That too, being a student of a govt school, it makes us proud," said Suresh. The school is located near her house, and her simple yet sincere salute continues to inspire the local community, he said. According to headmaster Babu Kulal, Lahari is a brilliant student and a class topper.
Gopal Shetty, ward member, has also appreciated Lahari's gesture.