Ludhiana: A long-awaited video call from a holy city on the banks of the Yamuna river never came to the son, leaving a Ludhiana community to mourn a couple whose final act of devotion ended in a tragic riverside reluctance.What began as a spirited group pilgrimage has turned into a double-family tragedy, exposing the devastating cost of a boat-pontoon collision that turned a river of life into one of loss. For Mohit Gulati, the silence of his phone on Friday afternoon was the first sign that something was wrong. His parents, Rakesh and Anju Gulati, had promised to call him once they reached the temple in Vrindavan to share the blessing.Instead, the call Mohit eventually received was from neighbours in Ludhiana, delivering the news that his parents were among the victims of Friday’s double-fatality boat capsizing. The Gulatis were cremated on Saturday in their hometown of Ludhiana following the arrival of Mohit and his sister, Damini, who flew in from Pune and Bangalore respectively. The tragedy has shocked the local community, where the couple was well-known for their hospitality and devotion to social welfare.Double-Edged ReluctanceIn a bittersweet revelation, family friends disclosed that Rakesh, a local property businessman, had initially been hesitant to make the trip to the holy city. “Anju wanted to go to Vrindavan, but Rakesh refused to accompany her at first,” said Veena Rani, a close friend and neighbour. “Anju kept insisting because she didn’t want him to stay at home alone. Eventually, he agreed.” Rani added that Anju had also pressured her to join the group, but she declined due to health issues — a decision that likely saved her life.The Final ConversationThe couple last spoke to their son at about noon on Friday. While they discussed their plans to visit the temple, there was no mention of boarding a boat. “My parents would always make a video call when they went to any religious place to pay obeisance,” Mohit said. “They said they would call this time, too. I waited, but it never happened. The only intimation I got by the evening was the news of their deaths.”A Community in MourningThe Gulatis were seasoned travellers who joined group pilgrimages frequently and had visited Vrindavan several times before. They split their time between Ludhiana and Pune, where they traditionally spent the summer months with their son. They had been scheduled to fly to Pune this June for a two-month stay. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of Friday’s capsizing, which has renewed scrutiny regarding boat safety and passenger limits for pilgrims on the Yamuna river.
