The final rites of N Ramachandran, a 65-year-old resident of Edappally, Kochi, who tragically lost his life in the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, are being conducted today. Ramachandran, a native of Mangad Neeranjanam, was among the 26 tourists who were brutally shot dead by terrorists while holidaying with his family, including his wife, daughter, and grandchildren.
His mortal remains were kept at Renai Medicity Hospital’s mortuary and brought early Friday morning to Changampuzha Park in Edappally for public homage. People from all walks of life gathered from 7 AM to 9:30 AM to pay their final respects. After the public viewing, the body was taken to his residence on Mangattu Road for a final farewell by family and close friends.
The cremation is scheduled to take place at 12 noon at Shanthikavadam Crematorium in Edappally. A condolence meeting in memory of Ramachandran will follow at 12:30 PM at Changampuzha Park.
On Thursday, numerous people visited his home to express their sympathies. Among the dignitaries were Kerala Higher Education Minister R Bindu, senior CPM leader and former minister P K Sreemathi, BJP leader A N Radhakrishnan, and filmmaker Major Ravi, who all met the bereaved family and offered condolences.
Ramachandran’s elder brother, Rajagopal Menon, who had left for the United States just after Ramachandran embarked on his Kashmir trip, returned on Thursday evening. The cremation was deliberately scheduled for Friday to ensure his presence during the final rites of his brother. The tragic incident has cast a deep shadow of grief over the Edappally community.
