A month before he could tie the nuptial knot, S. Prasad Kumar (32) lay lifeless and disfigured. The powerful blast at the Gulf Oil Corporation (GOC) in Kukatpally on Thursday night that claimed his life also snuffed away the dreams and aspirations of his family that had planned to hold a grand marriage ceremony in May.
Hailing from Kothapet, the family had zeroed in on an alliance and thought of finalising the marriage date in consultation with the girl’s parents after May 1.
Shattered
Plans were being put in place for a grand affair, but they were all shattered by the news of Kumar’s untimely death.
Kumar and his senior colleague, C. Arjun Sekhar (59), from Bholakpur were working as casual labourers at the ‘DF’ section when the massive blast ripped through one of the sheds, killing them instantly.
Thirty other workers had a narrow escape as they were out of the shed for dinner.
“The blast has left us shell-shocked. Kumar’s parents are unable to come out from the shock,” said his uncle Muralidhar. According to him, Kumar used to pull double shifts to clear debts and pool money for marriage, and he usually began his day at 3 a.m.
“His untimely death is a big blow to the family. It will affect them financially as he was taking care of his parents and siblings,” he said.
Muralidhar alleged that the GOC management did not allow Kumar’s family members to go near his body at the blast site. Permission was granted only when the family staged a protest while the body was being shifted to Gandhi Hospital in an ambulance, he said.
Such was the impact of the explosion that Kumar’s left hand was missing, Muralidhar said. He added that Kumar had been working with the company for the last four years.
Meanwhile, Sekhar’s is an altogether different story. After retiring from service last year, he rejoined the company as a casual labourer.
He had conducted the marriages of both his children. Sekhar’s son Mani Kumar is pursuing B.Tech and daughter Shalini is an M.Tech student, said his relative Arun.
