Imphal, Aug 21: Lest We Forget : The Sangai Express will carry the stories of the heark breaks and tears of the family members of the five persons who died in the terror attack at ISKCON.

Here is the first part of our story-Master Angom Blondin.

"Wasn't he too young to die" is the oft repeated murmuring of the bereaved mother Mamata whose 11 year old son Angom Blondin died in the the terror attack of August 16 at ISKCON temple complex.

The crest-fallen father still finds it hard to reconcile with the loss of his eldest son.

The bereaved family's home at Lalambung Takhellambam Leikai is adorned by the lifeless portrait of the innocent Blondin with his favourite playmate-a small deep red acoustic guitar kept beside the portrait.


Blondin being flanked by his parents during happier days

All the while, sweet scent from the burning incense sticks remind the crest-fallen family that their beloved son was snatched away from their bosoms by the cruel hands of fate-call it terrorism-in one unforgettable moment.

"Though he was just 11, he was always true to his responsibility of being the eldest of his siblings.

He was very obedient, sincere and dutiful", said Mamata of her lost child whom they lovingly nick named Buti.

"My sweet son in a pristine kurta-pyjama suit gave me a sublime smile as if he knew he was leaving for the heavenly abode before he went for the festival in the company of his grandfather Madhumangol and younger sister Babli" said Mamata with grief writ large on her face.

Blondin always took care of his younger siblings in the house and at school (Christ Jyoti School) where all four of them study, he was always respectful to his elders and passed his leisure time drawing and learning to play guitar, wept Mamata.

Inspite of his tender age, Blondin was a religious and God fearing child, praying to Lainingthou Sanamahi, Krishna and Ganesha every time before he went for school.

He never missed to follow his grandfather for every religious occasion at ISKCON.

"But he was taken away too young by the Lord and his pure songs of innocence will be heard no more" cried the mother forsaken by destiny.

Concerning the barbaric and demonic crime against humanity, she said, "This is too much".

"I don't want other innocent children snatched away from the bosom of their mothers for no fault of theirs", noted the grief-stricken mother while appealing those perpetrators not to repeat such inhuman act in future.

The big hopes reposed on his eldest son was shattered to pieces.

Bobby, father of Blondin was hoping to hand over his business to his eldest son when he come to age while he and his wife would devote themselves to Lord Krishna, Bobby said.

In sweet remembrance of his loving son, Bobby is planning to distribute a geometry box imprinted with the photo of his son to each of the students of Christ Jyoti School, he disclosed.

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