16-year-old from Tivim heeded strict dhond code, killed in lethal chaos
Bambolim:
Rajesh Kalangutkar, who lost his 16-year-old nephew Aditya in the stampede, told
TOI
that the teen became a dhond (devotee) only two years ago and was looking forward to the jatra. Aditya, from Tivim, diligently followed all the observances such as staying vegetarian for a month and fasting for five days in the run-up to the festival.
'His face was smashed as he fell, and people then tumbled over him,' Kalangutkar said. 'We never expected his end to be like this. He was a strong devotee and went to the jatra to seek blessings but died due to govt's mismanagement.'
Kalangutkar added, 'He was just a young boy and the only son. His family had big ambitions for him. He had recently cleared his Class X examinations.'
He said the family's 'only appeal to govt is for it to accept its mistake to ensure such a tragedy is not repeated'.
This year, Kalangutkar said, there was an addition of 1,000 to dhond numbers. 'The administration shouldn't have taken things for granted. They should have been more prepared,' he said. 'People who went to seek blessings haven't come back. Govt should learn a lesson from this.'
A strong police presence was required when dhonds walked through the homkund, Kalangutkar said.
Sudansho Haldankar told
TOI
that his 54-year-old uncle went to help a woman who fell at the jatra and he himself was trampled in the stampede and was sent to GMC. 'He felt suffocated and his ribs were injured. He is currently on oxygen,' Haldankar said.
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