ABU DHABI // The Indian community gathered at the India Social Centre yesterday evening to support one other in the wake of disaster, some sharing stories of loved ones lost. A few hundred people gathered to observe a minute of silence and listen to updates provided by community leaders of the community. Dr BR Shetty, the founder of New Medical Centre, called it the "greatest tragedy of non-resident Indians in the world."
People spoke of families in which only a child remained after everyone else had perished in the crash, or how an entire wedding party of 28 people had been wiped out in an instant. Many in the audience silently wiped away tears. Others simply prayed. "The wounds will take time to heal," said Ramesh Panicker, the general secretary of the social centre. "We accept it as God's will. We are no one to challenge it, defy it. We pray for their souls to rest in peace."
Thomas Varghese, the president of the centre, said the tragedy was "personal" for those gathered, because several people knew families from the villages and towns surrounding Mangalore and from the states of Kerala and Karnataka. "Life has to go on," he said. Towards the end of the meeting, he answered questions about forming a support group for those most affected by the tragedy, including children or spouses left without support.
Sudhir Shetty, the chief operating officer of UAE Exchange, said one of his best friends had lost his wife and daughter in the crash. "You hear about plane crashes around the world, but when it happens in your neighbourhood, it affects you much more," he said. There were stories of groups of people travelling together, including several from Saudi Arabia who had travelled via Dubai to attend a funeral in Mangalore.
Mr Shetty recalled when several prominent Indians from the community were on the first flight from Mangalore that landed in Dubai in 2006. "We are frequent on this route and we knew the crew very, very well," Mr Shetty said. Preeti Giri, who lives in Dubai, travelled to Abu Dhabi last night to offer her support. Ms Giri, of Mumbai, said she knew several families in Abu Dhabi affected by the disaster. During the ceremony, she was moved to tears.
"I am really hurt by the tragedy," she said. "I don't know anyone but I feel connected." sbhattacharya@thenational.ae
