Hyderabad Pays Tribute to 26 Lives Lost in Pahalgam Massacre
HYDERABAD: Nearly 200 people gathered at Bapu Ghat in Langer Houz on April 22 to mark one year since the Pahalgam massacre that claimed 26 lives. The candlelight vigil, organised by the Gandipet Welfare Society (GWS), brought together students, citizens and officials in a collective call for peace. Notably, the venue — an immersion site of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes — added deep symbolic significance to the remembrance.
Students Lead with Messages of Hope
The evening began with participation from around 60 high-school students from Meluha School and Guild of Service Ashram. They displayed artwork and placards carrying messages such as “We want peace” and “I want my planet to be in peace, not in pieces.” Moreover, while some students reflected on global conflicts, including Gaza, others highlighted themes of unity and non-violence.
“Violence anywhere shakes the sense of safety everywhere. Therefore, this gathering is a stand against violence, for compassion, and for the belief that humanity must come before everything else,” said Vani, a GWS board member.
A Solemn Tribute to the Victims
As dusk deepened, participants dressed in white lit candles and held placards bearing the names of the victims. Subsequently, the tribute turned deeply solemn as each name was read aloud and remembered, creating an atmosphere of collective grief and reflection.
Rajashri Pinnamaneni, president of GWS and organiser of the event, said, “This is a message that we remember them. We have not forgotten a single soul. Indeed, each life lost is more than a number; it is a story, a dream, a world.”
Call for Dialogue and Compassion
Several dignitaries attended the event as chief guests, including former CRPF Director General K. Durga Prasad, Inspector General A. Srinivas, and N. Padmavathi Irrigation Reddy. Addressing the gathering, Durga Prasad said, “Today, we assemble to remember the innocent lives that were lost so brutally and senselessly. Each life was a world of dreams, aspirations and hope taken away in an instant.”
Furthermore, he emphasised that violence can never be a solution. “Only dialogue and discussion can lead to better outcomes. India has always stood for peace and compassion, not aggression,” he added.
A Quiet but Powerful Conclusion
The event concluded with a moment of silence, followed by the national anthem and chants of “Bharat mata ki jai”. Finally, participants dispersed quietly, leaving behind candles as a tribute — and as a reminder to remember.
