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Kerala Officer, Chopper Crash Victim, Participated In Flood Relief Ops
As the nation mourns those killed in the horrific chopper crash yesterday, a heart-wrenching story has come in from Kerala. Junior Warrant Officer Pradeep Arakkal, among the 13 people who died in the chopper crash that also killed Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, was with his parents just three weeks ago. His father, who was hospitalised then, still doesn't know of his death.
36-year-old Mr Arakkal is from the Thrissur district in Kerala and had returned to work just last week after his father was discharged from the hospital.
His father is still on oxygen support at home and has not been informed of the son's death, according to their neighbour Shiva Prasad. His mother is aware of the tragedy. Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan visited his house today and is leading the preparations to receive the officer's body.
Mr Arakkal'swife hasn't returned to Thrissur yet, she was living with him. He is survived by two children - the younger one is 3 years old and the elder child is 7 years old.
The officer had actively participated during the flood rescue operations in Kerala. His neighbours remember him with fondness, saying that he even used to buy medicines and other supplies for those in need in his hometown with his own money.
Mr Arakkal's brother has left for Delhi to receive the body. Details of the last rites are not yet clear, given the father's condition.
Kerala has been hit by the worst floods in a 100 years. The Kerala Government estimates Rs 21,000 crore will be needed to rebuild the state. The funds are required to rebuild hundreds of flooded villages, thousands of damaged and destroyed homes and 10,000 kilometres of ravaged roads.
This Onam as Kerala struggles to rebuild after the most devastating floods in a century, NDTV has organised a special telethon to raise funds for Kerala. We have specific goals - to enable the rebuilding of villages in the worst-affected districts and provide immediate assistance in terms of rehabilitation and food kits to people in the worst affected areas . All donations will go directly to our partner NGO Plan India.
Our focus will be coverage that makes a difference, stories with a heart, standing by people and making their experience a shared one to effect change.
NDTV chose to report on this massive crisis with unwavering focus and commitment; having done that, now we look, as NDTV always does, to go beyond the news and make a difference to people's lives.
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