Emotional scenes as 4-year-old son performs final rites of Nambi Rajesh; Air India finally contacts family

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The mortal remains of Nambi Rajesh (40) reached the rented house in Karamana Nedungad on Thursday. Rajesh left the world too soon leaving behind his long dream of owning a house.

When the body was put on public display, the relatives were helpless in controlling Amrita who screamed at the sight of her husband lying lifeless in the cold coffin box. It was Rajesh’s last wish to see his wife but the dissonance within Air India staff proved fatal for the couple and shattered their final meeting.

Rajesh collapsed at work in Muscat on the 7th of this month. Amrita and her mother Chitra booked tickets on Air India Express for the morning of the 8th to meet her husband. But it was only after reaching the airport that they got to know about the protest, which eventually cancelled many flights. The company said they would book the ticket for the next day, but the promise was not kept.

Rajesh, who learned about the incident asked his family not to worry and informed them that he would visit the capital city on 17th May. However, what reached Amrita next was Rajesh’s death news.

The body was brought to Thiruvananthapuram at 7 am on Thursday. After the protest in front of the Air India office, the body was brought home by 11:15 am. Onlookers broke into tears as son Shailesh held the hand of Rajesh's brother Arun and performed the last rites. Minister V. Sivankutty visited the bereaved family. The cremation took place at Thycaud Tamil community crematorium around 12.30 pm. Rajesh’s eldest daughter Anika is now in first class. Son Shailesh to LKG. Rajesh's native place is Madurai and he has been in Muscat for nine years.

Amrita's father Ravi and his relatives protested in front of the Air India SATS office in Enchakkal for four hours. Not even one official from the office came to talk with the family. Thampanoor CI later reached the spot and held discussions with the officials.

And on Thursday noon, Air India officials contacted the family. But the relatives of Rajesh told the officials about their current mental stress and promised to reach back soon.