‘Enough of Godhra, we have moved on’
Bharat and Bela, who lost their better halves in Godhra carnage and riots, came together to pick up threads of life
Yogesh Avasthi and Shraddha Singh
Posted On Wednesday, February 23, 2011 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=2011022320110223031955754e8ff5769)
Enough has happened in our lives following the Godhra carnage. Not only the families of victims but those of the accused have also suffered a lot. But we have moved on and don’t want to think of the past. Awarding death sentence to the accused will not bring our loved ones back, said Bharat Panchal, who lost his first wife Jyoti in the carnage, while reacting to the special court’s verdict in the Godhra carnage that sparked off worst communal riots in Gujarat.
Like Panchal, Bela Raval also lost his better half Ashwin in the communal frenzy. Sudha Raval, Bela’s mother-in-law, had also died in the S-6 fire on the fateful day at Godhra.
Bharat and Bela would often meet on Nizamuddin Express while heading to Delhi for hearings of the riot cases at the Supreme Court. Besides legal issues, Bharat would also help her with routine matters. It was during this time when they developed intimacy.
“Initially, I was hesitant to propose her for marriage as we both had grown up children. But our children took the initiative to facilitate our marriage. Godhra tragedy brought us closer and made us stronger. We are a big happy family now,” said Bharat who tied the knot with Bela in May 2005.
The indifferent couple
On Tuesday, when the entire state was anxiously waiting for the verdict, this couple stayed indifferent. “We have got our daughters Khushboo and Shefali married. My son Dhaval is more attached to Bela than me. Train has played an important role in our lives. It has brought sorrows and later happiness in our lives. Now, we want to lead a peaceful life without thinking of the Godhra carnage,” said Bharat who lives in the Jantanagar and earns a decent livelihood by ferrying schoolkids in his autorickshaw.
“Our families knew each other since years. After my first husband’s death, Bharat helped me in court cases and other routine matters. He has been a strong support for me and my daughter. He has given us a new lease of life.” Bela said with a teary eyes.
Yogesh Avasthi and Shraddha Singh
Posted On Wednesday, February 23, 2011 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=2011022320110223031955754e8ff5769)
Enough has happened in our lives following the Godhra carnage. Not only the families of victims but those of the accused have also suffered a lot. But we have moved on and don’t want to think of the past. Awarding death sentence to the accused will not bring our loved ones back, said Bharat Panchal, who lost his first wife Jyoti in the carnage, while reacting to the special court’s verdict in the Godhra carnage that sparked off worst communal riots in Gujarat.
Like Panchal, Bela Raval also lost his better half Ashwin in the communal frenzy. Sudha Raval, Bela’s mother-in-law, had also died in the S-6 fire on the fateful day at Godhra.
Bharat and Bela would often meet on Nizamuddin Express while heading to Delhi for hearings of the riot cases at the Supreme Court. Besides legal issues, Bharat would also help her with routine matters. It was during this time when they developed intimacy.
“Initially, I was hesitant to propose her for marriage as we both had grown up children. But our children took the initiative to facilitate our marriage. Godhra tragedy brought us closer and made us stronger. We are a big happy family now,” said Bharat who tied the knot with Bela in May 2005.
The indifferent couple
On Tuesday, when the entire state was anxiously waiting for the verdict, this couple stayed indifferent. “We have got our daughters Khushboo and Shefali married. My son Dhaval is more attached to Bela than me. Train has played an important role in our lives. It has brought sorrows and later happiness in our lives. Now, we want to lead a peaceful life without thinking of the Godhra carnage,” said Bharat who lives in the Jantanagar and earns a decent livelihood by ferrying schoolkids in his autorickshaw.
“Our families knew each other since years. After my first husband’s death, Bharat helped me in court cases and other routine matters. He has been a strong support for me and my daughter. He has given us a new lease of life.” Bela said with a teary eyes.
