Kolkata: The mother of 57-year-old Himadri Bhowmick, who died while traveling on the Howrah-Puri Vande Bharat Express train on Wednesday, says the railway was careless.
Protima Bhowmick, 80 years old, said, “If my son had got medical help on time, he could have been saved.” She lives in Dhakuria with her family. Himadri’s wife, son, and elderly parents are left behind. His older sister lives in Delhi.
Himadri was buried in Bhubaneswar, where his family is now. His mother said sadly, “I have lost my son, and he will never come back.”
Himadri ran an academic consultancy business and was traveling to Bhubaneswar for work with his colleague Debarati Majumdar. He fell sick after the train left Cuttack station. Other passengers said he had died by the time the train reached Bhubaneswar.
Himadri’s 90-year-old father, Hiranmoy, said he will take legal action against the Railways. He believes his son could have lived if medical help was given quickly.
His parents said Himadri had high blood pressure and took medicines for it, but they didn’t know about any other health problems.
The whole neighborhood is shocked by his death. Neighbors said Himadri was not very mobile recently because of his illness, and his wife was taking care of the home.
Subhendu Jana, a trader living opposite their house, said, “I still can’t believe Himadri is gone. I have known him since he was a child. Our families are close. We are trying to support his parents, but nothing can make up for losing a son.”
Another shopkeeper, Dayananda Shau, said, “They bought household items from my shop. I haven’t seen Himadri in the last two months. His wife used to come to the shop every day.”
Baidyanath Tripathi, another resident, said, “I heard about his death this morning. I have lived here for 50 years and knew Himadri since he was a teenager. He was polite and worked in a bank before starting his consultancy business. He never told me about any serious illness.”
