Thank you to Carlton Braganza for singing at the Carlton Towers memorial.Couldn't be a better expression of our feelings for Akhil now:
Gone Too Soon
Like a comet
Blazing 'cross the evening sky
Gone too soon
Like a rainbow
Fading in the twinkling of an eye
Gone too soon
Shiny and sparkly
And splendidly bright
Here one day
Gone one night
Like the loss of sunlight
On a cloudy afternoon
Gone too soon
Like a castle
Built upon a sandy beach
Gone too soon
Like a perfect flower
That is just beyond your reach
Gone too soon
Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight
Here one day
Gone one night
Like a sunset
Dying with the rising of the moon
Gone too soon
Gone too soon
Thanks also to Michael Jackson for a great rendition!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
One month on...
Yesterday was one month,since Akhil moved on.Moved on?Is that right?
Mixed feelings of how the day went!
Memories of events that happened that day a month ago,thoughts of what he did before he left for work,the call he made to us that afternoon and what he may been through in those moments, filled us.
But, what was most satisfying for me, was that I was able to reach out to 8 of the 9 families who were in exactly our situation and bring them together for a memorial last evening at Carlton Towers.Not the easiest place to visit.The grief for all of us is neither less nor more.Some, are maybe a wee bit stronger and some need a hand.I am hoping I can continue to reach out to them and share their grief too!
The inter faith ceremony was touching.Brilliantly handled by my friends and the 'beyond carlton' group.A big thank you from all of us!The large numbers who turned up and also the support from various quarters is my hope!
Its also been a strange last two days, where I needed to face the media,I was unclear if I could manage that,but I felt I had no choice but to do it,if I wanted to propagate the 'Beyond Carlton' initiative. Not sure, how I performed though! Was worried I may lose my composure!
In the last month,we have had a lot of folks,telling me we were an inspiration in the way we were managing the situation,honestly, what's the choice we have? Become a recluse is an option, but what good does it serve?
Its also a month I realise since I began this blog, and I never realised there would be so many out there, whom I seemed to have touched.From Akhil's friends, to our friends, to priests, to folks in government, to media. I am glad I am saying something sensible!Akhil, thank you buddy, for letting me find a way to express myself.
Lastly, a bit of pride,the 'Beyond Carlton' initative is picking up pace like I never imagined a month ago.600 + members on FB and support from respected citizens,organisations,police,government.Nice feeling too at the end of one month!
So, a lots happened in 30 days,its a long journey ahead!
Mixed feelings of how the day went!
Memories of events that happened that day a month ago,thoughts of what he did before he left for work,the call he made to us that afternoon and what he may been through in those moments, filled us.
But, what was most satisfying for me, was that I was able to reach out to 8 of the 9 families who were in exactly our situation and bring them together for a memorial last evening at Carlton Towers.Not the easiest place to visit.The grief for all of us is neither less nor more.Some, are maybe a wee bit stronger and some need a hand.I am hoping I can continue to reach out to them and share their grief too!
The inter faith ceremony was touching.Brilliantly handled by my friends and the 'beyond carlton' group.A big thank you from all of us!The large numbers who turned up and also the support from various quarters is my hope!
Its also been a strange last two days, where I needed to face the media,I was unclear if I could manage that,but I felt I had no choice but to do it,if I wanted to propagate the 'Beyond Carlton' initiative. Not sure, how I performed though! Was worried I may lose my composure!
In the last month,we have had a lot of folks,telling me we were an inspiration in the way we were managing the situation,honestly, what's the choice we have? Become a recluse is an option, but what good does it serve?
Its also a month I realise since I began this blog, and I never realised there would be so many out there, whom I seemed to have touched.From Akhil's friends, to our friends, to priests, to folks in government, to media. I am glad I am saying something sensible!Akhil, thank you buddy, for letting me find a way to express myself.
Lastly, a bit of pride,the 'Beyond Carlton' initative is picking up pace like I never imagined a month ago.600 + members on FB and support from respected citizens,organisations,police,government.Nice feeling too at the end of one month!
So, a lots happened in 30 days,its a long journey ahead!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Beyond Carlton...gathering steam!
We approach the first month of this tragedy and I am sure like Nithya and me other families have had mixed emotions over these weeks.We both, maybe a little stronger than some,only because we may have taken a few more knocks in life.But, deep inside,it hurts!
I sometime wonder,where I am getting the strength to get 'Beyond Carlton' to happen!
I must say it is friends and family who are around,lending a hand and a shoulder.Like, this friend,who's not directly affected,but who is so passionate about the cause. She goads us,tells me whom to call,takes on roles selflessly and sometimes gets my 'auto pilot' mode to do things which I should be doing. She has come as God's gift to 'Beyond Carlton'.
Are there more of her around?
'Beyond Carlton' has been reaching some tiny milestones...the group is gathering momentum on Facebook and if you aren't there yet,do become a member.The huge support we are getting from various quarters is assuring, be it the police force,some respected NGO's and sports bodies.Stay tuned over the next few days, to know more on 'Beyond Carlton'
My thanks to all who are helping us reduce the pain,but I do believe my Akhil, would want me to embark on this long journey!
I sometime wonder,where I am getting the strength to get 'Beyond Carlton' to happen!
I must say it is friends and family who are around,lending a hand and a shoulder.Like, this friend,who's not directly affected,but who is so passionate about the cause. She goads us,tells me whom to call,takes on roles selflessly and sometimes gets my 'auto pilot' mode to do things which I should be doing. She has come as God's gift to 'Beyond Carlton'.
Are there more of her around?
'Beyond Carlton' has been reaching some tiny milestones...the group is gathering momentum on Facebook and if you aren't there yet,do become a member.The huge support we are getting from various quarters is assuring, be it the police force,some respected NGO's and sports bodies.Stay tuned over the next few days, to know more on 'Beyond Carlton'
My thanks to all who are helping us reduce the pain,but I do believe my Akhil, would want me to embark on this long journey!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Beyond Carlton...3 weeks later
3weeks to date and things seem like yesterday.It is so unbelievable!
We still have to come to terms with it.Sometimes, we have to remind ourselves, that Akhil is not around for now and forever.At times in the day, it is tough, especially his daily post lunch call to both Nithya and me or late evening where we wait for him to come home for dinner. We are hoping we get the strength to move on...
I managed to reach out to 3 other families who also lost someone dear.It was so odd to sit together and try and pick information to piece together and frame a reason on what could have happened to each of our folks we lost.It is so sad we need to try and get the reasons from each other.Committees set up may take forever in India, as we know and we may never have all the answers.But,I guess there is comfort in hearing each other.
I also managed to reach some injured and the anger and pain is palpable.They too seem to believe in my thought, of wanting to get accountability and awareness for the future.This is a long haul but is there an option? Maybe to just let it pass?
With others support, we now have a common banner 'Beyond Carlton'.The response has been extremely encouraging.If you believe in fixing accountability for this tragedy and also in the long term want to create awareness and education to prevent another Carlton,do join the Face book group or express your feeling on twitter.
Hoping this is one way,I can turn our adversity into something more productive. Your thoughts???
Uday
We still have to come to terms with it.Sometimes, we have to remind ourselves, that Akhil is not around for now and forever.At times in the day, it is tough, especially his daily post lunch call to both Nithya and me or late evening where we wait for him to come home for dinner. We are hoping we get the strength to move on...
I managed to reach out to 3 other families who also lost someone dear.It was so odd to sit together and try and pick information to piece together and frame a reason on what could have happened to each of our folks we lost.It is so sad we need to try and get the reasons from each other.Committees set up may take forever in India, as we know and we may never have all the answers.But,I guess there is comfort in hearing each other.
I also managed to reach some injured and the anger and pain is palpable.They too seem to believe in my thought, of wanting to get accountability and awareness for the future.This is a long haul but is there an option? Maybe to just let it pass?
With others support, we now have a common banner 'Beyond Carlton'.The response has been extremely encouraging.If you believe in fixing accountability for this tragedy and also in the long term want to create awareness and education to prevent another Carlton,do join the Face book group or express your feeling on twitter.
Hoping this is one way,I can turn our adversity into something more productive. Your thoughts???
Uday
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Carlton Towers and beyond...
Its two weeks to date, since I lost my son,possibly one of the youngest to have succumbed and I can barely muster courage to think beyond.
But, I think we all need to!
Our minds have shifted from grief,anger,sorrow to questions about what really happened that day.I feel I can let time pass and hope we just get on with our lives or attempt to do something about it.
It is this need, that has got me thinking on whether to channel these feelings to a more constructive role.
.I wonder if the 8 other families who lost a dear one in this tragedy, feel the same.
.What about the many injured(I have yet to meet any of them!)what is going through their minds?Would they like to speak about it?
.Do we need to keep this alive, to ensure many more Carlton's can be prevented?There are many more 'Carlton Towers' on the same road, in our city and across India.
.There is a huge bureaucracy and system we are up against,is it worth our while?
.Can we really make a difference?
I would like to know what you think and especially, the thoughts of those who were injured in this accident.If any of you know any others who may be interested,please forward this blog post.
Do we move beyond...?
Uday
PS-If you feel you'd rather respond by an email,feel free to mail: beyondcarlton@gmail.com
But, I think we all need to!
Our minds have shifted from grief,anger,sorrow to questions about what really happened that day.I feel I can let time pass and hope we just get on with our lives or attempt to do something about it.
It is this need, that has got me thinking on whether to channel these feelings to a more constructive role.
.I wonder if the 8 other families who lost a dear one in this tragedy, feel the same.
.What about the many injured(I have yet to meet any of them!)what is going through their minds?Would they like to speak about it?
.Do we need to keep this alive, to ensure many more Carlton's can be prevented?There are many more 'Carlton Towers' on the same road, in our city and across India.
.There is a huge bureaucracy and system we are up against,is it worth our while?
.Can we really make a difference?
I would like to know what you think and especially, the thoughts of those who were injured in this accident.If any of you know any others who may be interested,please forward this blog post.
Do we move beyond...?
Uday
PS-If you feel you'd rather respond by an email,feel free to mail: beyondcarlton@gmail.com
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