A long-time expatriate who returned to Kerala after years in Dubai, Ramachandran had hoped to spend his retirement close to nature and family. He ran a private security firm before settling down in Edappally two years ago, where he built his dream home, surrounded by a lush garden that became a quiet landmark along Mangad Road.
Published Apr 23, 2025 | 7:47 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 25, 2025 | 10:13 AM
Ramachandran, one of the victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, was a man who found his peace among petals and leaves.
Synopsis: 66-year-old N Ramachandran, a resident of Kochi, was shot dead in a terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, as his daughter and young grandchildren looked on in horror. The attackers, who also humiliated their Kashmiri driver by demanding proof of his Muslim identity, according to family members. Ramachandran, respected within the community and known for his love of gardening, is being mourned deeply by his hometown of Edappally, where preparations are under way for a fitting final farewell.
A hand-painted sign welcomes visitors to ‘Neeranjanam’, the lush home of N Ramachandran in Edappally, Kochi. It reads simply: “Life is better in the garden.”
But on Wednesday, the scent of jasmine was replaced by the sound of hushed voices and the solemn arrival of mourners.
Ramachandran, 66, was among those killed in the Tuesday’s terror attack on tourists in Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
Known for his devotion to his garden and his quiet life with wife Sheela, he had travelled to the valley for a short holiday with family – drawn, like many others, by the landscape’s famed serenity.
That peace shattered on Tuesday afternoon when gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists. At least 28 people were killed, with a dozen more injured.
Ramachandran’s dream home, ‘Neeranjanam’, surrounded by a lush garden that became a quiet landmark along Mangad Road.
A long-time expatriate who returned to Kerala after years in Dubai, Ramachandran had hoped to spend his retirement close to nature and family.
He ran a private security firm before settling down in Edappally two years ago, where he built his dream home, surrounded by a lush garden that became a quiet landmark along Mangad Road.
“He found his peace among petals and leaves,” said his cousin Dr Induchoodan, also president of the NSS. “Even in their absence, he would make sure helpers cared for their green companions.”
His daughter, Arathy Sarath, had recently moved back to Kerala from abroad with her twin six-year-old sons, Drupath and Kedar.
The family had always admired Kashmir’s beauty, believing it to be safe once again for tourists. They rented a car in Srinagar and set off for a day in Pahalgam, accompanied by their Kashmiri driver, Saleem.
While Sheela stayed behind in the vehicle due to recent heart surgery, Ramachandran, Arathy and the children hiked towards Baisaran meadow. There, among serene pines and vast grasslands, the gunmen emerged.
“One of them asked Ramachandran his name,” said Induchoodan, recounting Arathy’s call to him later. “The moment he answered, he was shot point-blank in the head – his daughter and grandchildren watching in horror.”
Arathy ran with her children, stumbling in the rugged terrain but never letting them go. The Army arrived nearly an hour later to evacuate the survivors.
According to Induchoodan, Arathy later recounted to him by phone how the attackers humiliated their driver, Saleem:
“They demanded to verify his Muslim identity by asking him to expose himself. He was spared.”
Ramachandran’s body was taken to SMHS Hospital in Srinagar. His son Aravind Menon, who works in Bengaluru, flew to Kashmir upon hearing the news.
The body is expected to arrive in Kochi by 7.30pm on Wednesday, after official tributes are paid in New Delhi.
The family awaits the arrival of Ramachandran’s elder brother Rajagopal from the United States; some older relatives have not yet been told, fearing the emotional toll.
The public can pay their respects on Friday, 25 April, between 7am and 9am at Changampuzha Park, Edappally. The body will then be taken to the family home before the cremation at 11.30am at Changampuzha crematorium.
Santha Vijayan, councillor of Devankulangara, expressed deep sorrow. ”I couldn’t believe my ears. The family had informed all of us before they left for the trip. Ramachandran sir was very active socially and known for his gentle way of communicating, even while disagreeing on civic matters like water distribution. The family is highly respected in our community,” she told South First.
Edappally councillor Deepa Varma described him as a “thoughtful, respected presence” in the community.
Several councillors from the Cochin Corporation, along with local MLAs and MPs, are coordinating efforts to ensure a dignified farewell for Ramachandran.
Meanwhile, Kalpetta MLA T Siddique confirmed to South First that the Kupwara MLA was working closely with the authorities in Srinagar. He expressed deep sorrow that “the victim’s daughter and grandchildren had to witness the tragic incident.”
Siddique, along with MLAs M Mukesh, KPA Majeed, and Ansalan, was in Srinagar as part of the Assembly’s Assurance Committee tour. Following the attack, they cancelled all official programmes.
The delegation, which had arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday as part of a planned nine-day visit across Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Delhi, met with the family. The MLAs are also staying in touch with Malayali tourists to coordinate safety measures.
Kochi Mayor Adv. M Anilkumar told South First that the city is “coordinating efforts to ensure a fitting and heartfelt final tribute” to Ramachandran.
Back in Edappally, the garden at ‘Neeranjanam’ remains. But the flowers, now wilting, seem to speak of an absence too vast for words.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
Editor’s Note: Speaking to the media on Thursday, a day after this article was published where the family recalled how events unfolded, Aarathy, who witnessed her father’s killing in Pahalgam, told the media that she called their driver after the shooting had stopped and she was already making her way down from Baisaran. She made no mention of terrorists checking the driver’s “Muslim credentials” as cited by family members who quoted a phone call conversation with her soon after the attack. You can read her statement on how things unfolded here.
