Latest news with #DepartmentofNon-ResidentKeralitesAffairs
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
575 Keralites in Kashmir, says State govt.
A day after the terror strike at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead and several injured, the State government confirmed that as many as 575 Keralites are in Kashmir now, as per the registrations made in a help desk opened soon after the attack. The State government set up the help desk under the NoRKA-Roots, the field agency of the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NoRKA), to assist those who may be trapped in the area. In a Facebook post, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the State government had provided assistance to Keralites stranded in Kashmir within a short time of the attack. Steps have also been taken to provide travel and medical assistance, and food to those in need. Arrangements have also been made to provide assistance to those arriving in Delhi to get back home. Services, including ticket booking for onward travel, are also provided, he said. 'The terrorist attack in Pahalgam shocked the conscience of the people, and each and every one of us should stand united against such dastardly attacks and the hate propaganda that fuels them to ensure that another Pahalgam will not happen again,' he said in the facebook post.
News18
23-04-2025
- Politics
- News18
Pahalgam Terror Attack: Elderly Keralite, On Holiday With Family, Shot Dead In Front Of Daughter
Ramachandran, an Edappally native, was tragically killed in a terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam while on holiday with his family. His daughter witnessed the horrifying incident. Edapally native Ramachandran's love for travel, a passion shared by his wife, ended in tragedy on Tuesday when he, along with 25 others, was gunned down by terrorists in Kashmir's Pahalgam, and in front of his daughter, who had come down from Dubai to meet her parents. Ramachandran (65) travelled to Kashmir with his wife, daughter and grandchildren for a holiday. He was shot dead by terrorists in front of his daughter, family sources said on Wednesday. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's office confirmed his death in the terror attack late Tuesday but didn't divulge many details. The shocked family members and friends, who rushed to Ramachandran's house in Edappally in the morning, said they were yet to come to terms with his demise. After working in the UAE for several years, Ramachandran returned to Kochi with his wife, Sheela, some years ago. A woman relative, who could be seen fighting back her tears, said the couple went to Kashmir along with their daughter and grandchildren, who arrived from Dubai for a holiday. 'Both of them were very much fond of travelling. A day before they went to Kashmir, Sheela called me and informed me about their journey. They were very happy," she told the media at Ramachandran's house in Edappally. She said she is still in shock and felt a shiver thinking about the tragic demise of Ramachandran. Sivasankaran Nair, a neighbour of Ramachandran, said they talked to each other even on the previous day, and the family proceeded to Kashmir. 'I never imagined even in my dreams that their journey would end like this. I could not believe it even now. He was a good friend," Nair said. Family sources said Ramachandran had a daughter and a son. His son has already left for Kashmir after hearing the news. Expressing deep sorrow over the demise of Ramachandran, BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar said as per the information he received, the mortal remains would be brought to Kochi by 7.30-8.00 pm on Wednesday. He also said they were tracking all details and coordinating with family members. NORKA Roots, the field agency of the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) launched a help desk to provide assistance, services and information to Keralites in view of the terror attack, a statement from the CMO said. Meanwhile, actor-turned MLA Mukesh, who was among a group of Kerala legislators who had reached Kashmir as part of an official tour, said they managed to contact Ramachandran's daughter. He said the deceased man's wife is yet to know about the husband's tragic end. 'Ramachandran's daughter is handling everything. We were told that his wife is yet to be informed about the tragedy. She is weak. The daughter has to manage that also along with the grief of her father's unexpected death," he told a TV channel over phone. The MLA said it is heartbreaking to see the sorrow of the relatives of deceased people while recounting the shocking incident to Union Home Minister Amit Shah when he arrived to pay homage to the victims. (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI)
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First Post
23-04-2025
- Politics
- First Post
'They were very happy': Elderly Keralite's family holiday turns into tragedy in Pahalgam terror attack
Ramachandran was shot dead by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam while holidaying with his family. His daughter, who had flown from Dubai, witnessed the horror read more Edapally native Ramachandran's love for travel, a passion shared by his wife, ended in tragedy on Tuesday when he along with 25 others was gunned down by terrorists in Kashmir's Pahalgam, and in front of his daughter who had come down from Dubai to meet her parents. Ramachandran (65) travelled to Kashmir with his wife, daughter and grandchildren for holidaying. He was shot dead by terrorists in front of his daughter, family sources said here on Wednesday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's office confirmed his death in the terror attack late Tuesday but didn't divulge much details. The shocked family members and friends, who rushed to Ramachandran's house in Edappally here in the morning, said they were yet come to terms with his demise. After working in the UAE for several years, Ramachandran returned to Kochi with his wife Sheela some years ago. A woman relative, who could be seen fighting back her tears, said the couple went to Kashmir along with their daughter and grandchildren who arrived here from Dubai for holidaying. 'Both of them were very much fond of travelling. A day before they went to Kashmir, Sheela called me and informed about their were very happy,' she told the media at Ramachandran's house in Edappally. She said she is still under shock and felt a shiver thinking about the tragic demise of Ramachandran. Sivasankaran Nair, a neighbour of Ramachandran, said they talked each other even on the previous day the family proceeded to Kashmir. 'I never imagined even in my dreams that their journey would be end like this. I could not believe even now. He was a good friend,' Nair said. Family sources said Ramachandran had a daughter and son. His son has already left for Kashmir after hearing the news. Expressing deep sorrow over the demise of Ramachandran, BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar said as per the information he received, the mortal remains would be brought to Kochi by 7.30-8.00 pm on Wednesday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He also said they were tracking all details and coordinating with family members. NORKA Roots, the field agency of the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) launched a help desk to provide assistance, services and information to Keralites in view of the terror attack, a statement from the CMO said. Meanwhile, actor-turned MLA Mukesh, who was among a group of Kerala legislators who had reached Kashmir as part of an official tour, said they managed to contact Ramachandran's daughter. He said the deceased man's wife is yet to know about the husband's tragic end. 'Ramachandran's daughter is handling everything. We were told that his wife is yet to be informed about the tragedy. She is weak. The daughter has to manage that also along with the grief of her father's unexpected death,' he told a TV channel over phone. The MLA said it is heartbreaking to see the sorrow of the relatives of deceased people while recounting the shocking incident to Union Home Minister Amit Shah when he arrived to pay homage to the victims. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (Except headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff)
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala government tasks special team to ensure safety of Keralites in Jammu and Kashmir
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has ordered the formation of a help desk under the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NoRKA) to aid Keralites stranded in the wake of the terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Minister's Office said those requiring help or information should call the NoRKA helpline number 18004253939 or give a missed call to 00918802012345. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has tasked special officers in the Kerala House in New Delhi to ensure the well-being of Keralites in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the terrorist attack against tourists in Pahalgam. In a statement, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan said Mr. Vijayan had stated so in a one-to-one personal telephonic conversation following the incident. He said Mr. Vijayan had initiated steps to bring back Keralites stranded in Jammu and Kashmir, given the escalated tensions in the State. Mr. Satheesan said Congress legislators T. Siddique and K. Ansalan; Communist Party of India (Marxist) legislator M. Mukesh; and Indian Union Muslim League legislator K.P.A Majeed are in Jammu and Kashmir. Kerala Legislative Assembly staff are also there. In a Facebook post, Mr. Vijayan condemned the terrorist attack as shocking and saddening. He paid respect to the victims of terrorism and said extremism and violence had no place in a progressive democracy. Mr. Satheesan also condemned the terrorist strike.
