the goan I network
PERNEM
The 200-odd Goan pilgrims, including 10 from Mandrem, who were stranded at the flood-affected Divine Retreat Centre in Muringoor-Potta, Kerala, managed to leave the retreat centre after the water receded on Saturday morning.
The journey back home for the 10 pilgrims from Mandrem continued to be fraught with danger after they encountered a landslide at Thrissur, en route to Bangalore. They are expected to be back in Goa on Sunday morning.
Speaking to The Goan, Albert D’Sousa of Junaswaddo-Mandrem said his wife, Sandra, and the other nine pilgrims from Mandrem and the other Goans stranded at the retreat centre managed to leave on Saturday morning.
“My wife told me that water levels had receded at the Divine Retreat Centre at about 8.30 am. Around that time, the staff told everyone to leave the premises immediately. Without wasting a moment, everyone -- the pilgrims, priests and staff -- quickly evacuated the premises,” said D’Souza, who was in constant touch with his wife.
Incidentally, D’Souza said a friend in the army, who also hails from Mandrem, was involved in the rescue and relief operations at the Divine Retreat Centre.
“He told me that all occupants in the retreat house were evacuated to safety,” said D’Souza.
While various Goan groups left Potta through different means and routes, D’Souza said the Mandrem group of pilgrims left in rickshaws and travelled 35 kms to Thrissur.
“They stopped at the Thrissur railway station for some refreshments and then hired a tempo at about 1.30 pm to proceed to Bangalore,” said D’Souza.
“About an hour into their journey, they encountered a major landslide and the tempo could not proceed ahead. They had to turn back to Thrissur and take another route towards Bangalore,” he added.
“Sandra called me in the evening to say they were all safe and that, they were on their way to Bangalore,” said a relieved D’Souza.
The Mandrem group, comprising Sandra Jane D’Souza, Agnes Fernandes, Francis Britto, Perpetua Fernandes, Rosaria D’Souza, Anthony Fernandes, Cecilia Rodrigues, Cecilia Jasmim Fernandes, Severina Britto and Moris Britto, was expected to reached Bangalore on Saturday night.
Local businessman and social worker, Jeet Arolkar, who has offered all assistance to the stranded Mandrem pilgrims, proceeded along with some friends, Sunil Shetye, Naresh Naik, Kishor Naik and Pratik Masurkar, to Bangalore, to meet the Mandrem pilgrims on their arrival in Bangalore.
Arolkar has made all arrangements and even purchased flights tickets for all the 10 Mandrem pilgrims. The entire group will fly back to Goa by the Indigo flight at 6.30 am on Sunday morning and are expected to arrive in Dabolim airport at 7.45 am.
“Arolkar has even generously volunteered to bring all the 10 pilgrims from the airport to the Our Lady of Rosary church at Mandrem in a special bus, where we will all welcome our loved ones,” said D’Souza.
