Ludhiana: The desperate vigil of a Punjab family ended in heartbreak on Sunday morning as rescuers recovered the body of 19-year-old Rishabh Sharma from the Yamuna river, bringing the confirmed death toll of the Vrindavan boating tragedy to its grim conclusion.Rishabh, a beloved teenager known for his devotion to Radha-Krishna and Khatu Shyam along with taking joy in bhajan singing, had been missing since the overcrowded vessel capsized on Friday. His parents, who had been camping on the riverbanks in Uttar Pradesh holding onto dwindling hopes of a miracle, are now escorting his body back to their home in Jagraon for funeral.A Voice for FaithIn the Ram Nagar neighbourhood of Jagraon, the news has cast a long shadow over a family described by neighbours as “decent and hardworking”. Rishabh’s father, Umesh Kumar Sharma, runs a local spare parts store, while his mother, Uma Sharma, is a teacher at a nearby private school. Neighbours recalled the teenager not just for his academic pursuits following his Class-XII examinations, but for his soulful voice and religious outreach.Rishabh was a prominent member of the Banke Bihari Club, often going door-to-door in Jagraon to perform religious hymns and community service. He loved the rhythm of the cricket bat and the way the light would catch a summer game. Friends last saw Rishabh on April 9 at the Shree Krishna Gaushala, where he joined a two-bus convoy of devotees bound for the holy city of Vrindavan.A Hidden TruthIn a poignant reflection of the family’s trauma, neighbours have revealed that Rishabh’s mother remains in such a distressed state that the family has yet to tell her he has died, telling her instead that he remains hospitalised. The tragedy has also reignited fury over the lack of oversight at prominent religious tourist sites. Naresh Verma, a retired principal and family acquaintance, noted that while the recovery of the body provides “the small mercy of final rites,” the accident was entirely preventable.“There were no safety arrangements at the spot where the accident took place,” Verma said. “The boat was carrying more people than its capacity. The only positive aspect now is that the family can at least perform his funeral.” The Sharma family is expected to reach Jagraon late Sunday evening. The cremation has been scheduled for 9.30am on Monday at the cremation ground near the New Grain Market.Rishabh is survived by his parents and a younger brother, Lovish, aged 15. Local community leaders, including former municipal council president Jatinder Pal Rana, have called on authorities to address the “shocking” lack of life-saving equipment that turned a spiritual pilgrimage into a mass casualty event.
