Night shift duty, Ponmudi visit and tragedy; Friends bid emotional farewell to Anupama

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: When Anupama's lifeless body was brought home to Kamleshwaram, Shruti was waiting to see her dear friend for one last time. Anupama's lifeless body was brought to Poovankal House in Kamleshwaram on Friday afternoon. Everyone, including Shruti, paid their last respects to their dear friend. The relatives were confused, not knowing how to comfort Anupama’s father, Sumodhanan and mother, Priya, who were not out of the shock instilled by Anupama's death.

Anupama and Shruti arrived at Vithura Thavakkal waterfall around 1.30 pm on Thursday, along with friends, as the destination had attracted tourists due to hype on social media.

While walking together on the pier near Thavakkal waterfall, Shruti slipped and fell into the water. Anupama attempted to rescue her but fell into a shallow region and immediately disappeared into the depths. Workers from other states who saw the two drowning jumped into the water and rescued both. Though both of them were rushed to the hospital, Anupama’s life could not be saved. Eight friends, including Anupama, an employee of Alliance Company in Technopark, had come to Ponmudi for an excursion on bikes.

Anupama's brother, Vysakh, is an employee of the same company. He came to know about his sister's drowning while on duty. He immediately reached home and headed to Vithura, but on the way, he received information about his sister’s death. The body was kept at home for public viewing for about an hour, and people, including Rajeev Chandrasekhar MLA, paid their last respects. The cremation took place at the Muttathara Moksha Kavadam.