Kannur: Echoor is yet to be freed from the shock of the drowning of the father-son duo who were learning how to swim in a local pond in the village.
Panniyode natives PP Shaji (50) and Jyotiraditya (16) lost lives while the latter was learning swimming. The training was to secure additional marks in the Plus One application for Jyotiraditya. Swimming certificates provide grace marks which would come handy in ensuring admission to the favourite subject in the favourite school for the son, Shaji thought.
They used to come to the pond every morning along with a relative, who couldn't join them on Wednesday.
Natives, who were passing by the pond, were suspicious to see the pairs of sandals on the bank of the pond and informed others. Police and the locals started the search and recovered the bodies soon.
Jyotiraditya passed the SSLC in flying colours by securing A+ grade in all subjects from the Chelora GHSS.
Shaji, the secretary of the Echoor Service Cooperative Bank, had joined the service as a bill collector and went on to take the top seat with his hard work and dedication. He was a social worker and member of CPM branch in Panniyode.
Shaji’s wife is Keezhallur panchayat assistant secretary Shamna. Jagath Vighyat is their younger son.