Haveri
Ganesh Chaturthi and Deepavali festivals were celebrated in Katanahalli village of Byadagi taluk in the district with great enthusiasm. But this year’s celebrations have been overshadowed by the fireworks tragedy. Three people from the village, who were enjoying installing ganesha idols in public places in the village, lost their lives in the fireworks tragedy.
The deceased have been identified as Shivananda Akki (22), Dyamappa Olekar (25) and Ramesh Barki (26), all friends of Katanahalli village. On August 29, Bhumika was working at a fireworks godown on the outskirts of Aladakatte village.
The three friends used to be present in the village whenever there was any religious ceremony or cultural programme. The houses of the three deceased were shrouded in darkness. Parents who have lost their children, who were supposed to be the light of the house, are deeply saddened. The deceased, Shivananda Akki, was the only son. Two daughters have been married off. Shivananda’s father has been suffering a stroke for six years and has been lying down. Shivananda, who was serving his father on a daily basis, died in the tragedy while his father Shivabasappa is in deep pain.
Dyamappa Olekar has two sons and two daughters in the house. The younger son Dyamappa, who was supporting the house, died in the fireworks tragedy. The sight of mother Shekhavva crying in front of Dyamappa’s portrait every day is heartbreaking.Ramesh Barki’s house is also dark. His younger son Ramesh, along with Shivananda and Dyamappa, who had been friends for the past several years, used to go to work at a fireworks shop. Ramesh’s family lived on the money they earned from working on firecrackers. However, the fireworks that had gathered the friends were the ones that killed the three.
