Final journey home: Terror victim mourned in Kochi

Kochi: Mangattu Road, a narrow lane beside Changampuzha Park in Edappally, was lined with tribute boards on Wednesday honouring N Ramachandran, the 65-year-old resident who lost his life in the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.
At the veranda of his two-storey home, ‘Niranjanam,' elderly neighbours and friends sat in silent mourning, struggling to come to terms with the tragic loss. Ramachandran, who had spent decades working abroad, had returned to Kochi a few years ago for a peaceful retirement. His long-cherished dream of visiting Kashmir with family led to the ill-fated journey.
Balachandran M, a childhood friend, remembered Ramachandran as a man of strength and character. "He had breathing issues but told me his doctor cleared the trip," Balu said, his voice breaking. "At first, I hoped he was just injured. But his son called and said he was gone. I later learned he was interrogated at gunpoint before being shot in the head."
Neighbour Aravindakshan recalled him as a long-time BJP supporter who contested in the 1992 district council elections.
Thomas Joseph, another neighbour, described him as health-conscious. "He never played cricket but regularly watched our matches at Edappally Cricket Club. He was disciplined about fitness and went to the gym often."
Across the street, KK Sivasankaran Nair recalled seeing Ramachandran just before the trip. "I was hoping he'd return as usual. I never imagined this."
Ramachandran was accompanied on the Kashmir trip by his wife, Sheela Ramachandran, his daughter, Aarti R. Menon, and her sons, Kedar S. Menon and Drupat S. Menon. His son, Arvind Menon, however, remained at home.
Earlier, Ramachandran's body arrived at Kochi airport by 8pm on Wednesday, where agriculture minister P Prasad and district collector NSK Umesh received them.
A large crowd, including MPs, MLAs, political leaders, and hundreds of mourners, had gathered at the airport to receive Ramachandran's mortal remains and pay their last respects. Union minister Suresh Gopi, opposition leader VD Satheesan, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MPs Benny Behanan, Hibi Eden, and Jeby Mather, along with MLAs Anwar Sadath, Antony John, TJ Vinod, and Eldhose Kunnappilly. Ernakulam DCC president Mohammed Shiyas was among those who were present.
The body was then moved to Renai Medicity's mortuary. It will be kept at Changampuzha Park on Friday from 7.30am to 9.30am, followed by cremation at Edappally Public Crematorium at 11am.