Harmesh Kumar’s Body Returns Home From Uttarakhand Avalanche, Seen Off With Heavy Hearts
Una (March 04): The dimwitted demise of Harmesh Kumar, a worker by profession, hailing from Kuthar Khurd area of Una district, who succumbed in the deadly avalanche accident in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, has plunged his family and locals in grief. The body of the 32-year-old was taken back home to his native village, where the grieving family and villagers were left to grapple with the tragedy of the heartbreaking loss.
Una police station in-charge Gaurav Bhardwaj informed about Harmesh’s sudden death. Its tragic verification arrived in photographs on WhatsApp, plunging his family into disbelief. One of Harmesh’s cousins, Arun Kumar, who works in Dehradun, got to Chamoli quickly to do the formalities and bring his body back to the village. The body landed late in the evening, amid a scene of mourning that bordered on overwhelming.
Reaching Kuthar Khurd, his mother, Kanta Devi, and his wife, Sonia Devi, were inconsolable as they couldn’t come to terms with the sudden demise of their son and husband. Harmesh’s father, Gyan Singh, looked on in stunned silence, still not able to fully comprehend what he was witnessing. The grief-stricken family had little time to deal with their emotions before readying for Harmesh’s final rites. The laborer was cremated in the afternoon in a condoling atmosphere where the whole locality participated in grief with the family.
But what stunned many after this tragic incident was that not a word of sympathy came from the local district administration. Not only was the act itself insane, but no official or representative from the administration came to visit the family to offer any condolences or help during this time of mourning. This has made the family feel forsaken and unstood in a time of great anguish.
The Avalanche and Its Impact
The Chamoli district avalanche tragedy took place on February 28 and several laborers lost their lives. Rescue teams managed to evacuate 46 labourers to safety but Harmesh was one of the victims who tragically died in the avalanche. His death was a shock to his family, who were in regular contact with him.
Four days before the crash, Harmesh had phone home to reassure his wife and parents that he was safe. Their last conversation, optimistic, was his death sentence to his family, which made his death even more painful. Harmesh had come home for a short visit in February, and was back at work in Uttarakhand shortly before the unfortunate incident.
Harmesh had been heavily embroiled in the prep for his younger sister’s wedding, to be held two months after he met his untimely end. He had narrowed the venue down and even arranged for the wedding tent, an excitement and anticipation that tended to feature in his life. Now, with his death, his family is mourning not just their loss, but the plans and aspirations that ended too soon.
Community’s Grief and Support
Harmesh’s death has left the village of Kuthar Khurd in shock. The sense of loss is being painfully felt throughout the community, where people are coming together in support of the family, as best they can. While there is no administrative support offered, the community has stepped up and continues to offer their condolences and helping this family get through this horrible time.
Harmesh’s family is left not just to mourn and grieve the loss of a loved one, but also to deal with the grim fact of neglecting their needs at their hour of need as there is no help being provided by the authorities. While grieving and trying to cope with this loss, the villagers are still questioning the early demise of a young man from Kuthar Khurd.
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