The locals of Bahanaga in Balasore, who saved hundreds of lives in the recent train tragedy, organised a memorial service in remembrance of the people who were killed in the train mishap and to pray for the quick recovery of the injured. People from all walks of life congregated on the tenth day of the accident to pray for ‘Mukti' (salvation) of 288 passengers who lost their lives in the June 2 crash.
With the help of a few social, cultural activists and spiritual organisations, the locals organised the memorial service and an all-faith meeting to express their sorrow over the tragic demise of the passengers of the ill-fated Coromandel Express.
The three-day memorial service was organised on a field near the premises of Bahanaga High School. As part of the group tribute, locals, volunteers, and social activists shaved their heads and conduct ‘mass mundan’ as per Hindu rituals on Sunday. They also performed all other rituals as part of the observance of the last rites of the deceased.
Moreover, programmes like ‘Biswa Shanti Maha Yajna’, ‘Astaprahari Nama Sankirtan’, ‘Akhanda Gayatrimantra’ is scheduled on the 11th day. ‘Amrutadhara Satsang’ and candlelight march will be conducted by Ritambhara International Organisation on the 12th day.
Several social, cultural and spiritual organisations have joined their hands with the locals of Bahanaga and Soro for the observance of the last rites the memorial service.
“We consider the deceased as our own brothers, sisters, parents and close relatives. We have given them water before their death. Hence we are observing the rituals of their last rites with full dedication for their salvation,” said a local resident.
“All the rituals like ‘Mundan’, ‘Dasha handi Bhanga’, ‘Soucha’ are performed as per the guidance in ‘Shastra’. We pray before God for the salvation of the deceased,” said a local priest.
Though the last rites of the deceased were performed at Bahanaga, many family members of the accident victims are still searching for their missing relatives in Bhubaneswar and other places. Many of them are waiting at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar to take away the bodies of their dear ones after the completion of the identification process.
“A person told me that he has seen my injured son on television. Local people were giving him water to drink. I have been searching for him at different morgues and hospitals for the last week. However, there is no trace of him. No help is forthcoming and I am helpless now,” said a crestfallen father from Bihar.
Worth mentioning, at least 288 people were killed in the tragic triple-train mishap in Bahanaga while over 12200 people had a narrow escape with serious injuries.