By Prashant K. Nanda, IANS
New Delhi : Monika Ochania, a 34-year-old Delhi resident, has forgotten how to smile and has not slept properly for the last two years after her nine-month-old baby died in the Sarojini Nagar bomb blast.
“I came for Diwali shopping along with my younger daughter. Suddenly there was a huge blast and I fell unconscious. My daughter died two days later,” Ochania said as she visited the Sarojini Nagar market Monday in south Delhi to pay homage to all those who lost their lives in the blast.
“I am a mother, and how can I forget my daughter? Days are passing by but the scar in still fresh. I have not slept properly since then,” she told IANS with tears rolling down her cheeks.
On Oct 29, 2005, three blasts rocked the national capital, killing over 60 people in the tragedy and injuring over 100 others.
Blasts in an overflowing Sarojini Nagar market before Diwali, an ever busy Pahargunj market near New Delhi Railway Station, and a DTC bus in Kalkaji locality rocked the city in a span of 15 minutes on that black Saturday.
The Sarojini Nagar market, a middle class shopping hub, witnessed maximum blood bath as 50 people lost their lives and 92 others were injured when a bomb went off near a busy juice vendor’s shop a little after 6 p.m.
Two years down the line, the market is back in business but those who lost their near and dear ones are far from regaining their normal selves.
“I have no courage to visit this market after that day, but I do come on Oct 29 to offer flowers to all those who lost their lives along with my daughter,” Ochania said.
Like Ochania, Celina Das is another mother who cannot stop weeping looking at a photo of her 40-year-old son Michael.
“I lost my son Michael, daughter-in-law and grand-daughter Alvin. Today is Karva Chauth – I am supposed to pray for my husband. But when my son is no more in this world, how will I celebrate?” she said as she took part in a two-minute silent prayer for the blast victims.
“In one stroke, my world collapsed that Saturday. Michael’s young daughter (Manisha) is my only hope now,” she said while touching her son’s photograph pasted near the blast memorial.
“Both me and my husband have not slept since then. The pain of losing your young son can only be felt by parents – no amount of monetary compensation can relieve that pain,” Das said, holding Manisha tight against her bosom.