Jaipur: A pall of grief hangs over the narrow bylanes of Hasanpura’s Rai Colony, where mourning has replaced everyday bustle. Dilshad stood numbly in his modest home on Tuesday, clutching the photographs of his elder brother Naushad Khan (35) and nephews Kashab (19) and Farhan (18)—three of the eight Jaipur residents who drowned in Banas River in Tonk during a picnic gone tragically wrong.“They left excitedly at 1am,” Dilshad said, barely able to hold back tears. “By afternoon, we got a call from the police. We couldn’t believe it. Some of us rushed to Tonk, hoping it was a mistake.”All eight victims—men in the prime of their lives—ventured out for a summer picnic. None returned.Naushad, who worked in the clothing factory, was the family’s financial pillar. His sudden death left his wife Ashma, mother Rahisa, and eight-year-old daughter Ana devastated. “We have no idea how we’ll survive,” Ashma murmured, her voice choked. The family appealed to chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma for financial assistance, a govt job, and help to restart their lives.Neighbours recalled Naushad as a man with big dreams. “He often said this house was too cramped,” said one local. “He planned to shift his family to a bigger home soon. That dream is now buried with him.”Among the deceased was also Naushad’s brother-in-law Rizwan, a daily-wage labourer from Ghat Gate. Rizwan, who left behind a one-year-old son, joined the trip with relatives and friends. As word of his death spread, neighbours and family thronged his home. His wife, Saira Bano, had to be held by others as she wailed inconsolably.“Rizwan was the youngest of his siblings, full of life,” said his uncle Abdul Rashid. “They were to return by evening. We never imagined we’d be receiving their bodies.”Another victim, Azad Hussain alias Babloo (35), a loading vehicle driver from Loharon Ka Khurra in Ghat Gate, was the only brother to five sisters. “He was everything to them,” said a neighbour. “The entire locality is in shock.”Also among the drowned were brothers Nawab Khan and Sajid Khan from Pani Pech. Their father, Rais, could barely speak as he wept. “Both were my hands and feet. Nawab drove a school van, Sajid worked at a car agency. I have no one now.”
Holiday Horror: They left for a picnic, never returned | Jaipur News
