Yesterday’s general strike or ‘harthal’ was called by the various trade unions & the LDF. Normal life in states with Left ruled governments like Kerala, West Bengal & Thripura were almost brought to a halt because of this. But it was especially cruel on one mother.

Rodia, a resident of Kattachira near Etttumanoor, was travelling by train to Cochin along with her elder son Sonal & her sister Maya. They were made to wait at the Thiruvananthapuram railway station for 3 hours, while waiting to board the Jayanthi Janata Express. Rodia’s 4 year old son Ronal was under treatment in Cochin for leukaemia. His mother had gone to the Regional Cancer Center in Thiruvananthapuram for looking into further treatment for her son, while her husband stayed with their younger son. However before she could reach the RCC, Ronal passed away.

Rodia’s sister Maya receieved a text message on her phone from her brother-in-law informing her that Ronal had breathed his last. She immediately gathered her sister & older nephew to the railway station to rush back to Cochin, without telling her sister of the grave news. But they had to wait for 3 hours at the station due to the rail blockade by the various Left groups.

When Rodia finally heard about the news of her son’s death, she broke down and her wails were heard by media persons at the station. Opposition party leader Ommen Chandy also reached the spot and he informed the Chief Minister about the poor lady’s plight. Some cops were ordered to accompany Rodia, Sonal & Maya to Kottayam in the train, as Ronal’s body was taken to his family’s house in Kattachira. It was 2:30 pm when she reached Kottayam and from there Rodia had police escort her to her son’s body.

The funeral for Ronal will be held in a church near his house at 10 am today.