Mom bids farewell to only son by keeping his long desired smartwatch on body 

KUMILY: The body of Shannet Shaiju (17) of Anakkara Vellara, who died in a bike accident, has been laid to rest. His funeral was held at the St John's Jacobite Church in Anakara Olivumala. He died in an accident that happened in Chellarkovil on June 17. His funeral was delayed as his mother Jinu Louis was in Kuwait.

Jinu went to Kuwait as a domestic help two and a half months ago. Shannet had asked his mother to get him a smart watch if he gets good marks in Plus Two. He excelled well in all subjects. She had bought a smart watch and kept for him when she got her first salary.

Jinu was having a lot of trouble at her work place. She did not get a salary she was promised. She expressed her desire to go back after health problems troubled her. She was later under the hands of the agencies. She escaped from there with the help of the Indian Embassy.

When she was about to leave to her hometown after completing all legal formalities, her journey was stalled due to the spread of Covid and war conditions. As a result of the efforts taken by the state government, MPs, office bearers of the Kuwait Malayali Association and expatriates from Anakkara, Jinu reached her hometown the other day. Jinu, who came to see her only son for the last time, brought tears to the eyes of those around her.

Jinu reached home at 4 pm on Monday. Shannet's body, which was kept at the Kattappana St John's Hospital morgue, was brought home at 10 am yesterday.

Jinu came with the smartwatch that Shannet had long desired. Her son was not there to receive it. She bid him goodbye by keeping the smartwatch on his body.

Hundreds including classmates, teachers and locals, came to pay their last respects to Shannet despite the heavy rain. The funeral procession started from the house at 2 pm and the body was taken to the 7th Mile Olivumala St John's Jacobite Church where it was kept for public viewing until 4 pm. The funeral was led by the Idukki Diocese Metropolitan of the Jacobite Syrian Church, Mor Philoxenos Zacharias.