25TH ANNIVERSARY OF PERUMON
TRAIN TRAGEDY
Hundreds
of people, a good many of them who lost their dear ones in Perumon train
accident, is expected to reach the Smrithi Mandapam near the Perumon Railway
Bridge on Monday,8th July,2013, to commemorate the 25th anniversary
of the tragic accident.Every year on July 8, heart-rending scenes are witnessed
at the Smrithi Mandapam, a column erected in memory of the 105 people who lost
their life in what is etched in history as one of the worst rail tragedies in
the country, as relatives of victims visit the Mandapam to offer prayers and
tributes to their dear ones with an almost ritualistic fervour.
On July
8, 1988, the Kanyakumari-bound Island Express from Bangalore derailed while on
the bridge and around 10 coaches fell into the Ashtamudi lake.Over 200 persons
were injured in the incident.Though the Railway investigation into the tragedy
concluded that the mishap was caused by a tornado, there are many who oppose
the theory. The exact cause of the tragedy still remains a mystery.Various
organisations, including Red Cross Society, Homoeo Nursing Home at Kadappayil
near Anchalummoodu, Friends of Birds, Kerala Prathikarana Vedhi and Consumers
Federation of Kerala will hold a commemorative function at 9 am on Monday.
Union
Minister of State for Labour Kodikunnil Suresh will inaugurate the function.A
homoeo camp, to be organised as part of the commemoration, will be inaugurated
by Kollam MP N Peethambara Kurup. P K Gurudasan MLA, will distribute mementos
to persons who were part of the rescue operations.District Collector B Mohanan
will distribute study materials for students. Various political, social and
cultural leaders are expected to attend the function.
Prof. John Kurakar
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