Devotional evening honours departed and missing pilgrims; soulful renditions of Shiva bhajans leave gathering deeply moved
New Delhi: In a solemn tribute to the devotees who lost their lives or remain missing in the devastating tragedy along the Nepal-Tibet border, East End Club organised a special bhajan sandhya and prayer meeting in their memory. The gathering brought people together in an atmosphere of prayer, devotion and remembrance, with attendees praying for peace for the departed souls and the safe return of those who remain missing.
Messages from across India and abroad conveyed deep condolences to the families affected by the tragedy. Speakers described the incident as one of the most painful tragedies in recent years and paid heartfelt tributes to those who lost their lives.
The tragedy occurred on August 26, when devastating floods in Nepal’s Trishuli River claimed the lives of more than 1,000 pilgrims from India, Nepal, China and several other countries who had undertaken the Mansarovar pilgrimage. The floods also left thousands of people missing. Around 80 foreign men and women pilgrims associated with the Isha Foundation remain among those missing.
Artists associated with the Delhi government’s Hindi Academy presented soulful devotional performances dedicated to Lord Shiva at the bhajan sandhya held at East End Club in Yamuna Paar. Seventeen-year-old singer Drishti, along with renowned singers Simmi and Satish, captivated the gathering with their performances.
Drishti’s emotional rendition touched the hearts of those present and moved several devotees deeply, while many people in the audience broke into tears. Professor Shruti Ojha conducted the programme.
Several prominent personalities also conveyed their grief and solidarity through messages on the occasion. They included renowned classical musician Pandit Bholenath Mishra of the Banaras-Mirpur Gharana; BJP OBC Morcha president and MP Amarpal Maurya; Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad’s Prof. Rajkumar Bhatia; East End Club president Lalit Mohan Bansal (USA); and senior journalist Hemant Agrawal.
Senior journalist and Rashtra Times editor Vijay Shankar Chaturvedi, journalist Dilbar Gothee, renowned poet Shiv Kumar Bilgrami, Advocate Kapil Tyagi, Dr. Praveen Wadhwa, Advocate Manish Ojha, G.K. Bansal, Suchit Singal and Rajit Chadha attended the gathering. Several office-bearers and members of East End Club also joined the prayer meeting.
The programme concluded with a two-minute silence to honour the devotees who lost their lives. Those present paid their respects to the departed souls and conveyed their deepest condolences to the affected families, while also praying for the safe return of the pilgrims who remain missing.
