“From Sizzle to Drizzle!”
“From Sizzle to Drizzle!” – Cherai turns chill central as a drenched dog shivers like it’s Ooty, not Kerala! North Indian tourists soak in the irony—just two weeks ago, this spot was hotter than a tandoor.
The gunshots that tore through Aarati’s heart- Read in Week online edition
https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2025/05/11/n-ramachandran-pahalgam-attack-the-gunshots-that-tore-through-aarati-heart.html The gunshots that tore through Aarati’s heart They came in silence, from every corner of Edappally. Hundreds of men,
A Father’s Last Journey: Grief and Courage at Edappally
A Father’s Last Journey: Grief and Courage at Edappally
Hundreds gathered at Changampuzha Park in Kochi to bid a tearful farewell to N. Ramachandran, 65, an Edappally resident and Gulf expatriate, who lost his life in the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack. Travelling with his wife Sheela, daughter Aarati, and young grandchildren when the tragedy struck, Ramachandran became a target while the terrorists spared the women and children.
Sheela, recovering from a recent heart surgery, had stayed back in the car during the attack. She boarded her flight home unaware that her husband — no longer alive — was traveling in the same aircraft’s cargo hold. It was only upon reaching Kochi that the devastating truth was finally broken to her.
By early morning, Ramachandran’s body was placed for public homage at Changampuzha Park, a familiar spot where he had once been a quiet presence among the community. Sheela, despite her frailty, stood beside her husband, joined by her children and grandchildren, as streams of mourners filed past to pay their respects. Some offered flowers, others offered tears — and many simply reached out to console the grieving family in silence.
By 9 a.m., Minister P. Rajeev approached Sheela with a quiet word: the crowds were swelling, and a slight delay was inevitable. The family, composed and calm, simply nodded.
And then, as if drawn by some unseen force, Sheela and Aarati slowly approached the body once more.
What happened next stunned everyone.
Standing before the mortal remains of a husband and father, Sheela and Aarati raised their voices — not in sobs, but in something far fiercer. Three times, clear and strong, they cried out:
“Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram!”
“Ramachandran Amar Rahe!”
Their voices, filled with pride and pain, tore through the heavy morning air.
For a moment, the park froze.
The media crews, the bystanders, even seasoned politicians stood in stunned silence caught off guard by the raw, untamed eruption of patriotism at a civilian funeral.
Such scenes were once thought to belong only to the farewells of soldiers at distant borders daughters, wives, and sons saluting the fallen, their grief wrapped in the flag.
Yet here, in a quiet corner of Kerala, the same spirit soared — fierce, proud, and defiant against the cruelty of terror.
It was more than just slogans.
It was a statement of a changing Kerala, a changing India — where the pain of losing a loved one to senseless violence did not just shatter hearts but also stirred an unbreakable pride.
Where grief did not kneel — it stood tall and unyielding.
Later, as the crowds began to thin and the formalities resumed, the echoes of Sheela and Aarati’s cries lingered in the air — a reminder that Ramachandran had not fallen forgotten.
He had been saluted, not just by his family, but by the very soul of the community he had been part of.
Kashmir: Between Snowflakes and Smoke
Kashmir: Between Snowflakes and Smoke
As part of the All Kerala Techies Arts Festival at Infopark, a pencil drawing competition was held at the Jain University campus, with the theme “Kashmir: Between Snowflakes and Smoke.”
Most of the 47 participants depicted scenes from the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
P. Pradeep from EY won the first prize for his powerful portrayal of the bravery of Syed Adil Hussain Shah, the horseman who was shot dead while trying to stop the terrorists.
Hirosh from TCS and V.V. Rahul from UVJ Tech shared the second prize.
A Wedding Amid Ruins
A Wedding Amid Ruins
Bride Prasanna and her mother Lakshmy return to their tsunami-wrecked home before proceeding to the temple for her wedding. They had been staying at a relative’s house during the wedding ceremonies. Edavanakad, 16 km from Kochi, Kerala, India. January 2, 2005.
When the tsunami struck, 10 sovereigns of gold and ₹30,000 saved for the wedding, along with their newly painted home, were washed away. The state government and several organisations stepped in to help: ₹40,000 was provided by the government, gold ornaments were gifted by the Sathya Sai Trust, and sarees and bridal attire were donated by various charitable groups.
Tribute in Silence
Tribute in Silence
Leaders from across political parties gather at Kochi Nedumbassery Airport to pay their last respects to Ramachandran, who lost his life in the tragic terrorist attack in Phalgam.
“Solitude.”
“Solitude.” An elderly figure with an umbrella watches the endless sea at Fort Kochi — where time lingers, and memories drift with the waves.
Wall of Expression
Wall of Expression
Bringing color to the walls of Puthuvype’s Vazhuthanam colony, a group of local residents and students join hands to transform their neighborhood through art. The vibrant mural project, led by artist Sruthi and her team, is part of a community beautification initiative that celebrates creativity and togetherness.
Blasting Past Security
Blasting Past Security
A young Kerala Blasters fan sprints across the turf at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, with ground security hot on his heels. The passion for football sometimes outruns the rules.
Touch of a Lifetime
Touch of a Lifetime
At Amrita Hospital, Kochi, Sujatha weeps as she kisses the hands of her late husband Vinod—now transplanted onto Amaresh, a grateful recipient. Flanked by her son and sister, the moment is raw, intimate, and steeped in grace. The hands that once held her now promise a new life. This powerful image earned the Chennai Photo Biennale Regional Award.