Pall of gloom on Kerala village as native dies in Taj attack

Aluva (Kerala), Nov 27 (UNI) A pall of shock and gloom fell on Kaniyankunnu village near here following the news of the death of Thomas Varghese, a manager in Hotel Taj in Mumbai, in the terrorist attack last night.

As the news spread around the village, hundreds of people descended on the Vazhakkunnath House, where the deceased manager's mother Grace is living.

Varghese, who had bought the house in the village in 1995, was settled in Mumbai with his wife Suno and two children Wesley and Rainel Abraham. His father had passed away in 1991.

Grace has been in a state of shock ever since she heard about the death of her 48-year-old son.

His uncle V V Varghese, who lives next door, said they came to know about his nephew's death from a TV channel. The shocking news was confirmed after he spoke to some other relatives in Mumbai this afternoon. ''My nephew was a god-fearing and helpful person,'' he added.

Mr Varghese said his daughter Anitha was the last relative to call Varghese Thomas from the UK to enquire about his condition when she heard about the terrorist attack on Taj Hotel.

At that time he told her that he was alright but the phone connection kept getting disrupted.

Grace and Mr Varghese will leave for Mumbai to attend the funeral.

UNI XR ARC RSA RN2135