'Last week they visited Netta, expert drivers...'; Nellimoodu still in disbelief

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 'Active at the library and temple festivals, ready to help at any hour'. The locals of Nellimoodu have more to say about the youngsters who lost their lives in the Velankanni accident, but they are shuddering in grief, words barely making it out from their mouths.

Despite not being members of any political party, the youngsters were active in social work. It was routine for them to visit tourist spots every weekend. Last weekend, the group visited Netta, the tourist hotspot bordering Tamil Nadu. Shajunath is the leader figure in the group.

Jayaprasad and Rajesh used to visit various temples every week.

All of them were active members of Ayyappa Seva Sangh and also a usual presence at Mulayanthanni Devi Temple, Nellimoodu. The group had more members, but only seven travelled to Velankanni this weekend.

They left on Saturday around 7 pm in Shajunath's vehicle. The plan was to return Sunday night. Except for one, all six others are excellent drivers. Everyone took turns driving the vehicle.

Friends who have travelled with them in the past recalled how the team used to crack jokes throughout the trip to avoid sleep while driving. Many still can’t fathom how these expert drivers ended up losing their lives in a road accident of all things.

Shajunath's father, Raveendran, had tears while recalling his last conversation with his son.

“He started a mobile shop with a bank loan and has been running the shop for six years. Once, the bank manager reprimanded Shaju for late loan payments. This incident bruised him, so he worked hard and immediately paid off the entire loan amount in a few months.”

Raveendran is also the president of the Nellimoodu unit of the Traders and Industrialists Association.