Express News Service
First Published : 01 Jan 2011
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: "If he returns, he will be alone. That hope prevents us from committing suicide. This pain is so unbearable," said Geetha, mother of Vishnu. Rogi’s father Babu Vilavel too had the same pain in his voice. Two families, one in Thiruvananthapuram and the other in Pathanamtitta, are passing through the most difficult time in their lives.
Rogi and Vishnu, 19-year-old marine engineering students of these families, are captives of dreaded Somali pirates for the past nine months.
Rogi and Vishnu were sent for training by Kochi-based consultant agency Golden Compass Marine Solutions. The ship was hijacked by the pirates on April 10. Owners of the shipping company, Dubai-based Rak Training Ship Sinbad, are regularly sending mails to both the families. The mails say that the company was holding negotiations with the pirates regarding the ransom amount. It also adds that all the crew are safe.
"They are telling us that my son is safe. Only he knows what situation he is going through. We would like to believe that he is safe," said Geetha.
Geetha’s husband Vijayakumar is a mechanic in Saudi Arabia. Geetha and daughter Vaishnavi are staying at Kuduappanakunnu here.
Rogi’s father Baby, who is a municipal councillor in Pathanamtitta, mother Gracy, brother Robin and sister Rincy too are waiting for his return.
The two families are using all available options, meeting every politicians they could. But it seems that all turned a blind eye to their grievances. Neither the State leaders nor the power players in the Union Ministry came forward to take action. A K Antony, Vayalar Ravi, K V Thomas, Shashi Tharoor, VS Achuthanandan..., the list of leaders who saw their tears, goes endless.
Except Tharoor, who contacted the shipping company a couple of times and enquired about the situation, nobody cared to interfere.
"They say since it is not an Indian ship, the government can’t do much. Don’t they care about the lives of 12 Indians?" Baby asks.
"We feel, the company is not interested to pay the ransom amount. They are waiting for the pirates to let them free, which, I think, is near impossible,” Baby added.
Parents of both Rogi and Vishnu are keeping in touch with each other, which they feel is the only relief for them.
"We are planning to meet the Prime Minister if he is arriving for the inauguration of the new terminal of the airport here," said Geetha, who is suffering from various ailments.
This new year is going to be the saddest in their lives with uncertainty over the future of their dear ones continuing.
First Published : 01 Jan 2011
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: "If he returns, he will be alone. That hope prevents us from committing suicide. This pain is so unbearable," said Geetha, mother of Vishnu. Rogi’s father Babu Vilavel too had the same pain in his voice. Two families, one in Thiruvananthapuram and the other in Pathanamtitta, are passing through the most difficult time in their lives.
Rogi and Vishnu, 19-year-old marine engineering students of these families, are captives of dreaded Somali pirates for the past nine months.
Rogi and Vishnu were sent for training by Kochi-based consultant agency Golden Compass Marine Solutions. The ship was hijacked by the pirates on April 10. Owners of the shipping company, Dubai-based Rak Training Ship Sinbad, are regularly sending mails to both the families. The mails say that the company was holding negotiations with the pirates regarding the ransom amount. It also adds that all the crew are safe.
"They are telling us that my son is safe. Only he knows what situation he is going through. We would like to believe that he is safe," said Geetha.
Geetha’s husband Vijayakumar is a mechanic in Saudi Arabia. Geetha and daughter Vaishnavi are staying at Kuduappanakunnu here.
Rogi’s father Baby, who is a municipal councillor in Pathanamtitta, mother Gracy, brother Robin and sister Rincy too are waiting for his return.
The two families are using all available options, meeting every politicians they could. But it seems that all turned a blind eye to their grievances. Neither the State leaders nor the power players in the Union Ministry came forward to take action. A K Antony, Vayalar Ravi, K V Thomas, Shashi Tharoor, VS Achuthanandan..., the list of leaders who saw their tears, goes endless.
Except Tharoor, who contacted the shipping company a couple of times and enquired about the situation, nobody cared to interfere.
"They say since it is not an Indian ship, the government can’t do much. Don’t they care about the lives of 12 Indians?" Baby asks.
"We feel, the company is not interested to pay the ransom amount. They are waiting for the pirates to let them free, which, I think, is near impossible,” Baby added.
Parents of both Rogi and Vishnu are keeping in touch with each other, which they feel is the only relief for them.
"We are planning to meet the Prime Minister if he is arriving for the inauguration of the new terminal of the airport here," said Geetha, who is suffering from various ailments.
This new year is going to be the saddest in their lives with uncertainty over the future of their dear ones continuing.
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