■ Four young persons from Nagpur were among the 26 who lost their lives on Samruddhi Mahamarg after their bus caught fire enroute to Pune on Saturday. The deceased have been identified as Ishant Gupta (20), a resident of Dabha; Zoya alias Gudiya Shiekh, (26), a resident of Nirala Society, Motha Tajbag; her friend Riya Somkuwar (21), a resident of Kumbhare Colony, New Kamptee and Kaustubh Kale (26), a resident of Manewada. One Ayush Ghadge, a resident of Nagpur, survived the accident as he managed to break open the windshield and jumped off the ill-fated bus.

 

 

 

“AMMI, Ja Rahi Hoon,” were the last words heard by the family members of 27-year-old Zoya alias Gudiya J a m a l u d d i n Shaikh, one of the deceased among the 26 persons who lost thier lives on Samruddhi Mahamarg while travelling in a private bus that caught fire in the wee hours of Saturday. The death of Zoya, the sole provider for her family, left her family shattered and engulfed in grief. She was residing with her mother, Husnara Begum, and siblings, Azhar Sheikh (31) and Zakiruddin (24), in a rented house near Nirala Society in Tajbagh. A local resident said that the family had been struggling economically after the untimely demise of their father eight years ago. Due to their father's death, the children lost their educational opportunities.

 

After completing Class 12, Zoya took the responsibility of the family and secured a job in an event company. She ensured that her mother and brothers had their basic needs met. Zoya’s elder brother, Azhar, worked for DishTV, while Zakiruddin worked as a labourer with a tile contractor, the person said. On Friday afternoon, Zoya bid farewell to her family, uttering the words, “Ammi ja rahi hoon,” as she left for the event in Pune. Little did anyone know that it would be the last time they would hear her voice.

 

The tragedy struck when Zoya was enroute Pune in the bus of Vidarbha Travels. The news of Zoya's untimely demise was conveyed to the family by her nephew, Sultan, leaving them in a state of shock and deep sorrow. With Zoya’s untimely death, the family not only lost their primary source of income, but also a beloved member who tirelessly cared for their well-being. The Sheikh family’s financial situation was so bad that they had not even celebrated the recent Eid. Now, the tragic loss of Zoya has made it worse. As a person selflessly dedicated and committed to her family, she leaves behind a void which can’t be filled.

 

 

 

AMONG the victims of the bus tragedy at Buldhana was Riya Ganesh Shyamkuvar, a 19- year-old resident of Kumbhare Colony in New Kamptee. Riya, filled with hope and aspirations, had recently completed her Hotel M a n a g e m e n t course in Mumbai and was anticipating a dream job opportunity in Pune. However, fate dealt her with a cruel blow as she was charred in the fire, along with her friend, Gudiya Shaikh, a resident of Nagpur. A pall of gloom descended upon Kamptee after the news of Riya’s death in the bus tragedy spread in the town. The family members received the confirmation about Riya’s death at around 11 am on Saturday. They rushed to Sindkhed Raja. Riya's journey to pursue her dreams in Pune had started with completion of a Hotel Management course in Mumbai. She had returned from Mumbai to her hometown just two months ago. Gudiya had previously secured a confirmed ticket forVidarbha Travels, while Riya's ticket remained unconfirmed. So, they decided to travel together on Gudiya’s ticket, unaware of the dreadful fate that awaited them, he said. Riya, the youngest sibling, among four sisters and two brothers, was dreaming to support the family which had been struggling financially. With both parents working as manual labourers, the family was residing in a rented room. Riya’s determination was the hope for the family to alleviate their hardships, a resident of her area said.

 

 

 

THE hopes and dreams of Kaustubh Kale, a young job seeker from Nagpur, were shattered when he became one of the victims of a horrific bus accident. Kaustubh, a resident of Swami Samarth Nagari on Besa-Pipla Road, had recently applied for a job in Pune. His interview was scheduled for Monday. On Friday afternoon, he bid farewell to his parents, seeking their blessings, and boarded the bus bound for Pune. Little did he or his family know that it would be the last time they would see him alive. During his journey, Kaustubh called his elder sister around 1 am. The conversation was cut short when he assured her that he would call again soon.Tragically, the accident occurred within minutes after their conversation, which left his family in a state of shock and disbelief. The news of the accident reached Kaustubh’s family on Sunday morning. They learnt about the horrifying accident on the television. Soon after, they learnt that their beloved son was among the victims. Kaustubh's sisters recalled his determination to secure a good job. With one sister residing in Pandharkawada and the other living with Kaustubh. They were supporting each other through life's challenges. Kaustubh's parents were informed that he had been injured in the accident.

 

AYUSH Ghadge is among the lucky few who escaped the ghastly accident that claimed 26 lives on Saturday. Ayush boarded the bus of Vidarbha Travels from Butibori. As per the initial plan, he and his three friends were to board the same bus. However, the plan changed and he boarded the bus, while his three friends boarded another bus fromWani.Their bus was a few minutes’ distance behind Vidarbha Travels’ bus heading to Pune. As Ayush told mediapersons, after a dinner break,VidarbhaTravels’ bus resumed its journey towards Pune. Around 1.30 am, he was shaken out of his sleep by a loud thud and a couple of fellow passengers banging on him. He realised that something was wrong. He and some other passengers started hitting the window panes to get out of the bus. He called his friends on their cellphone. Within minutes, the bus his friends were travelling in, reached the spot. Ayush and a few other passengers managed to come out of the Vidarbha Travels’ bus just in time. His friends were relieved to see that Ayush had escaped unhurt.