9/11 nightmare: Learning to live with the loss

September 11, 2011

HemanthPuttur

Mangalore, September 11: While people in the US offer tributes to those who died in the 9/11 blast ten years ago, an eerie silence prevails in the house of Hemanth Kumar at Puttur, Dakshina Kannada district. Hemanth was one of the victims of the 2001 terror strike.

Years may have passed by, yet Hemanth's parents and relatives are trying to cope with the loss-the loss of a lifetime. The family does not observe Hemanth's death anniversary at home, this in an attempt to keep overpowering emotions at bay. Hemanth's father Anand, who is a tailor, says that observing his death anniversary will only bring back painful memories.

Anand even implores the media to leave the family alone. "It's all over and what's gone is gone. We are trying to forget the past and get on with our lives," he says.

Hemanth, a village youth, had strived hard to scale greater heights in life. He was working for Marsh and McLennan, a client of Wipro Limited, on the 97th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Centre on that fateful day.

After graduation in 1995, Hemanth worked for a software firm in Bangalore and later joined Wipro in 1997. His job entailed travelling around the world. In July 2001, Hemanth arrived in New York. He was working as a database manager with Marsh and McLennan. Hemanth is one of the four Wipro employees who lost their lives in the 9/11 incident.

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News Network
November 21,2024

CAKhaleel.jpg

Prominent NRI community leader SM Syed Khalilur Rehman, fondly known as CA Khalil, passed away in Dubai on Thursday at the age of 86 after a brief illness.

Khalil had been admitted to Aster Hospital in Mankhool on Tuesday after experiencing severe leg weakness. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, he succumbed to a double heart attack that worsened his condition, his son Rais Ahmed confirmed.

The news of his passing has sent waves of grief across communities, particularly in his hometown of Bhatkal, Karnataka, where he was a celebrated figure. Tributes have been pouring in on social media, highlighting his significant contributions to international trade, social service, and education.

A Legacy of Leadership and Service

A chartered accountant by profession, Khalil was a founding member of the Dubai chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), where he served as chairman from 1987 to 1994. His illustrious career included key leadership roles, such as general manager of Khaleej Times, group executive director of the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, and vice-chairman of the Jashanmal Group of Companies.

He also chaired Maadhyama Communications and Sahil Online, a web-based news platform, and was a director and trustee of several media companies and charitable organisations in Dubai and India.

A Champion for Education and Philanthropy

Khalil’s impact extended far beyond his professional achievements. As president and general secretary of Anjuman Hami-e-Muslimeen, he played a pivotal role in the development of educational institutions, including schools and colleges in Bhatkal and surrounding areas. His dedication to social upliftment earned him recognition from the Government of Karnataka, which honoured him with a prestigious award for his philanthropic contributions.

A Life Celebrated

The Bhatkal Muslim Khaleej Council (BMKC) recently released a documentary celebrating Khalil’s remarkable life and service to the community—a testament to his enduring legacy.

CA Khalil is survived by his family and countless admirers across the globe. His passing marks the end of an era for Indian expatriates in the UAE and beyond, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, generosity, and commitment to community service.

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