Relief journeys could be nightmares too

All living beings love to travel. In general, human nature is no different. Age is no barrier to travelling as it brings great relief from life's conflicts and complications. The joy and excitement that the mind and body experience at that time will be inexplicable. Unfortunately, some of these relief hunting journeys could end up in nightmares, too. The tragedy that befell fifteen-year-old Sreenanda during an excursion has left the whole of Kerala in grief.

While waiting for the SSLC exam results, Sreenanda and her family participated in an excursion organised by the Punnamparamba Temple Committee in Kadampazhipuram. There were a total of forty people in the group. Sreenanda went missing near the viewpoint of the Manikyadhara waterfall in Chikkamagaluru. Sreenanda was spotted standing in the background in the photo taken with her family at 5.20 pm on Tuesday. However, she disappeared in the photos taken at 5.35 pm. The fifteen minutes that led to her disappearance were discussed much in Kerala and even led many to allege a mystery behind the plot.

Four days later, Sreenanda’s body was found opposite the location where she was last spotted. This is a tourist spot flooded with beggars and vagabonds. The surge in tourists during the vacation season also added to the concern. Naturally, her parents demanded a detailed investigation considering all factors in play. In her last selfie with friends, Sreenanda was seen cheerful. The Karnataka police confirm that she fell from the viewpoint and died in the accident. It is hoped that the concerns will be dispelled from the postmortem reports.

Whenever during a trip, people get immersed in the sights and care less about the safety factors. Accidents and tragedies may be lurking around the corner. Tourists coming from faraway places have no idea about the geography of the place. It is the responsibility of the authorities to arrange security in a place where tourists flock day and night. Sreenanda went missing in broad daylight. It is a surprise that it took four days even to unearth what happened to the teen who went missing from the tourist hotspot of Manikyadhara.

The smiling face of Sreenanda, the daughter of Ramesh and Rohini of Kadampazhipuram, will not fade from Kerala’s mind anytime soon. Her untimely demise amidst moments of joy is beyond the ability of her parents and loved ones to bear. Sreenanda's misfortune should open the eyes of the authorities and those about to take short vacations. Do not forget that pitfalls and dangers lurk behind beautiful places. The midsummer holiday has begun. Travelling will surge in the coming months. Everyone participating in such a vacation should ensure their own safety and the safety of their fellow travellers.