Udupi: Jacintha Saldanha Laid to Rest at Shirva Amid Sea of Mourners, High Security
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
With Inputs from Inchara Udupi
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (PS)
Update (6.08 pm)
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Udupi Dec, 17: Addressing a press meet after the last rites of Jacintha Saldanha, her husband Benedict Barboza thanked the media and people on behalf of children Junal and Lisha for supporting the family in their time of grief.
Steven Almeida, a family friend from the UK addressed the press meet and said that the family has barely any strength and that after the sad demise of Jacintha, Benedict is not in a position to speak to the media.
Steven said London police have assured the family of conducting a complete investigation.
"We cannot comment anything now as investigations are on," he said.
He thanked Britain MP Keith Vaz, the Indian high commission in the UK, Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes, Karnataka home minister and deputy CM R Ashok, MP Jayaprakash Hegde, and former CM Sadananda Gowda for their support and for expediting the process of bringing Jacintha's body to India.
He also thanked Udupi bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Shirva pairsh priest Fr Stany Tauro and the media for respecting the family's request for privacy.
When asked whether the family would go back to UK, he replied in the affirmative but said that the family is yet to decide on when they would leave.
He declined to comment on questions regarding compensation and circumstances that led to Jacintha's death. On the three suicide notes that Jacintha had left behind, he said that in one she spoke of her funeral arrangements while the contents of other two could not be revealed. He said that Scotland Yard has been investigating the suicide notes.
To a query on the family's decision not to show Jacintha's face and to keep the coffin closed all the while even when brought to church for the Mass, he replied that the family thought that the media was 'uncontrollable' and hence decided not to open the coffin.
He concluded the press meet saying that the family is awaiting the results of the investigations.
Apart from Benedict Barboza, his son Junal, and friend Roque D'Cunha from Mumbai were present at the press meet.
Update (5.20 pm)
The mortal remains of Jacintha Saldanha have been laid to rest at Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva, amid a large crowd of well-wishers, family and friends. Even students and public in large numbers flocked to the church premises.
Jacintha's husband Benedict Barboza will address the media in a few moments from now.
Ronald Saldanha, who was close to the Saldanha family, paid a touching tribute to the departed soul of Jacintha.
Earlier, the funeral cortege of Jacintha Saldanha left the Barboza residence after a short prayer service by parish priest Fr Stany Tauro.
When the funeral cortege reached the church premises, a public announcement was made requesting media not to cover the proceedings inside the church.
Former union minister Janardhan Poojary, state muzrai minister Kota Srinivas Poojary, M A Ghafoor, and BJP Udupi district president Udaykumar Shetty, Kaup MLA Lalaji Mendon have arrived at the church to pay their last respects.
Bishop of Udupi diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo is leading the Mass which is under way at the church, with parish priest Fr Stany Tauro and Fr Denis D'Ssa as the concelebrants.
Speaking to reporters, Janardhan Poojary said that the family of Jacintha was in a state of shock and not in a position to talk to anybody. "The incident has shakend everybody. Even in England people are worried about it... not just England or India but the entire world feels for Jacintha. This is an example of how a prank can destroy a noble soul," he said.
He slammed the radio presenters who played the prank and said that before broadcasting the call, the higher officials in the radio station should have taken care.
He also said that whatever be the situation, one should be brave and face it boldly, and that suicide was not the solution for any problem. About Indian government's intervention in the matter, he said the Indian government cannot do anything as investigations are going on in the UK. "Indian government can only urge the UK to conduct a thorough investigation, but cannot take up the investigation in the UK," he said.
Kota Srinivas Poojary said that he felt sorry for the family and that Jacintha's death was a loss to the district, the state as well as the nation.
Earlier update
Udupi, Dec 17: A solemn gathering of family and friends recieved the body of Jacintha Saldanha, the nurse who allegedly committed suicide in London on December 17, at their residence in Shirva here on Monday December 7 ahead of her funeral.
The body had been kept overnight at Manipal hospital, and handed over to the family at 11.30 am on Monday.
Jacintha's husband Benedict Barboza, children Junal, Lisha, Benedict's mother Carmine Barboza and close family friends were at the residence to receive the body. Jacintha's mother Carmine Saldanha too is at the residence and is said to be inconsolable.
The media, however, were banned from entering that road that leads to the Barboza residence. Barricades were put up to block the media's entry into the lane, much to the disappointment of reporters from national and international media who have gathered in hundreds.
The partial ban on media led to a confrontation between police personnel and the reporters.
Though there was talk of an official ban order on media from the state home ministry, it turned to be only a rumour. As of now, media has been banned only from the Barboza residence and not from covering the funeral procession or the last rites.
The family had requested parish priest of Our Lady of Health Church Fr Stany Tauro to ban the media from the church premises, but Fr Tauro is understood to have turned down the request.
The family of Jacintha has released a request letter to the media stating, "The family members are making a humble request to all the media and people that they do not wish anyone to take any photographs or videographs during the ceremony in the church and in the cemetry. Hence it is kindly requested to respect their wishes and to cooperate." However, there is no official word on the ban.
Given the international exposure to the case, tight security arrangements under the guidance of Kaup circle inspector Shivanand Walekar have been made at the premises. Hundreds of police personnel have been deployed to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.
The body has been kept at the Barboza residence where close family and friends have been visiting to pay their last respects. At 2 pm, Fr Stany Tauro will offer a prayer service at the residence after which the funeral cortege will leave for the church. A public homage is scheduled for 3 pm followed by the last rites at 4 pm.
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