A scar I will never heal from: Survivor
Jaipur: What began as a joyful getaway after Eid turned into a memory too painful to forget. Shahrukh, one of the three survivors of the Tonk river tragedy, said he would carry the nightmare of that picnic for the rest of his life—a day when he watched eight of his friends and relatives drown in front of him.
He said it was supposed to be a fresh start after Eid, a chance to unwind. Shahrukh, a resident of Ghatgate, who spoke to TOI over the phone on Tuesday, said, "Instead, it became a scar I'll never heal from."
The group of 11 set out from Jaipur in a large SUV in the early hours of Tuesday. The initial plan, Shahrukh said, was to travel only as far as Chaksu. "We stopped near Chaksu, unloaded our supplies, and began preparing to cook a meal.
But one of us suggested we should go swim in the Banas River nearby," he recalled.
Despite some hesitation, the entire group agreed and headed towards the river in Tonk. Shahrukh stayed back with Salman and Sameer at a nearby shrine to cook the meal. The others, including friends, walked down to the river for a swim. Minutes later, panic set in.
"We suddenly heard loud cries for help. People were drowning," Shahrukh said, his voice trembling. "We ran towards the river. Some of us tried to pull them out, but the water was just too deep. One by one, they disappeared beneath the surface."
In a matter of moments, eight lives were lost. "I can't forget the helplessness of that moment," Shahrukh said. "We tried everything, but nothing worked. It was like the river just swallowed them."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
Greens question forest dept oversight after rescue of trekkers
Chikkamagaluru/ Shivamogga: Following rescue of medical students from Ballalarayana Durga Fort in Chikkamagaluru, environmentalists have raised concerns about the forest department's oversight of trekking activities, despite the online registration. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Critics highlighted the website's inadequate information and noted lack of amenities at the district's trekking locations. The situation prompted forest, ecology and environment minister Eshwar B Khandre to issue a directive after social media discussions about trekking mismanagement. The minister, in a release, said the forest department's website, Aranya Vihaara, must have all the information. He said the trekkers should agree to the conditions, and should not change the route. Ten medical students, who lost their way during their Ballalarayana Durga trek in Mudigere, were successfully rescued in a late-night operation Monday, ensuring their safe return Tuesday morning. Chikkamagaluru's eleven listed trekking locations, including popular spots like Ballalarayana Durga, Netravathi Peak, Ettinabuja, and Kuduremukha, lack proper supervision. Wildlife conservation activist Veeresh G told TOI that Mudigere's Ballalarayana Durga has become an unofficial camping site. He expressed concerns about unauthorised entry, overnight stays, alcohol consumption, and potential poaching activities, despite the presence of anti-poaching camps and checkpoints. Shivamogga-based wildlife enthusiast Shashi Sampalli shared his recent experience of trekking Narasimha Parvatha from the Shivamogga side. Speaking to TOI, he highlighted the discrepancies in the website's information, noting that the actual 19-kilometre trek was listed as less than 10km. He emphasised the need for accurate details about distance, challenges, safety measures, and necessary preparations, including protection against leeches and wildlife encounters. Shashi welcomed the minister's prompt action to address these issues.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Time of India
Post Pahalgam attack, anti-terror squad deployed for 1st time at Valley of Flowers
1 2 3 4 Dehradun: Uttarakhand Police has deployed a six-member anti-terror squad (ATS) team at Ghangaria, near the Valley of Flowers, to monitor tourist movement towards the alpine valley as well as popular Sikh pilgrimage spot, Hemkund Sahib, situated nearby, marking the first time such a deployment has taken place in this remote region. The decision is being seen as linked to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that left 25 tourists and a local dead. Chamoli SP Sarvesh Panwar, told TOI, "The ATS team has been stationed at Ghangaria, the key point for people going to both Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib. The ATS team has been stationed there since May 24, a day before the Hemkund Sahib yatra began, and will work alongside the State Disaster Response Force to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the pilgrimage and tourist traffic." According to sources, ATS deployment is part of a wider security strategy across Uttarakhand, which shares its border with China, in response to the Pahalgam incident in Jammu & Kashmir. While officials have not cited any direct threat or intelligence input linked to Chamoli district (where the Valley of Flowers lies, and which shares borders with China), police have increased surveillance across major tourist and religious sites in the Himalayan state as a precaution. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Security arrangements have also been strengthened at the four Char Dham sites — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath — where senior police officials have been overseeing crowd control, pilgrim safety and traffic flow. Also, police have been monitoring social media and providing support to around 1,700 Kashmiri students in Uttarakhand to maintain public order and prevent misinformation. The Valley of Flowers National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site, reopened to tourists on June 1. Located over 9,000 ft above sea level in Chamoli, the park remains open from June to Oct and is known for its alpine flora. On opening day, 83 visitors visited the valley. Declared a national park in 1982, it is home to over 600 plant species, including Brahma Kamal, the state flower of Uttarakhand, along with Aster, Delphinium, Himalayan Blue Poppy, Ranunculus and Potentilla. Hemkund Sahib, the revered Sikh shrine situated nearby, opened to devotees on May 25 and draws thousands of pilgrims every year.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- New Indian Express
Five Keralites killed in Kenya road accident
PALAKKAD: Five Keralites died and several others suffered injuries after the bus in which they were travelling met with an accident in the Nyandarua region of central Kenya on Monday. They were part of a 28-member tourist group of Indian nationals based in Qatar. The deceased are Riya Ann, 41, and her daughter Tyra Rodrigues, 7, from Mannur in Palakkad; Jasna Kuttikkattuchalil, 29, and her 18-month-old daughter Roohie Mehrin from Thoyakkavu in Venkidangu, Thrissur; and Geetha Shoji Isaac, 58, a native of Cherukol near Mavelikkara. The tourist group had 14 Keralites. The others were from Karnataka and Goa. According to reports from Kenya and Qatar, the group was en route to Nyahururu town approximately 200km from Nairobi, where they had planned to stay at Panari Hotel. Indian Embassy promises help to families Their bus reportedly skidded on a rain-soaked road and crashed into a tree, causing it to overturn. The group had departed from Qatar on June 6 for an Eid vacation and was scheduled to return on Wednesday. Riya Ann's husband, Joel, and son, Travis,14, are among those critically injured. Hussain Shafeek A, local ward member from Mannur panchayat and family friend, said the victims' bodies are currently at a government facility in Kenya, awaiting repatriation. 'The family here came to know about the accident on Monday morning. Joel, who is employed in the travel industry in Qatar, and Riya, an airport employee, were on a vacation with their children when the tragedy struck,' Shafeek told TNIE. Geetha Shoji Isaac, who also worked in Qatar, was on tour with her husband Shoji Isaac and their youngest son Abel. Both Shoji and Abel have been admitted to the Nyahururu general hospital with serious injuries. Abel is said to require surgery for a compound fracture. Shoji remains unaware of his wife's death. After coming to know about the accident, their family members in Cherukol made a frantic search for local hospital contacts.
