We are extremely shocked to hear about this incident.
I'm from Bangalore and it was the first time for me on any CTC Trek. There are a lot of things I would like to bring to your notice, it is up to you how you and your group take it.
I'm giving a feedback only on the Bodi-Munnar Trek since I have no idea of the other treks. To start with I felt that the Ravi had poor leadership and organizing skills. When I was inquiring about the trek details, I had sent a mail to Ravi asking him for more information on how B'lore participants can reach the place and arrange for transportation. I also asked Ravi to share his cell number but he did not.
Plan was to take a bus from B'lore to Theni and from Theni I was told to reach Bodi where we would meet the gang from chennai at Bodi Bus stand according to plan. In all this we were not made aware that the trek starting point was changed from Bodi to Korangini. It was when I checked the discussion forums did I know this change. When asked about how to reach Korangini he could not share much and diverted me to Ram Prasad, who was joining from B'lore.
I contacted Ram Prasad and then went ahead with the bus bookings to and fro to Theni. B'lore to Theni we were all in the same bus, but return from Theni to B'lore I managed only to get a ticket for 7:00 PM on the 21st.
On meeting Ram Prasad in the Bus on the 19th did we come to know that the gang from Chennai would pick us up from Theni and there is no need for us to reach Korangini. This was something I would not have known if I was probably traveling alone in another bus. Anyways we all met up and were picked up from Theni and reached the trek starting point Korangini.
It was there that I was expecting Ravi to brief everyone of the plan for the trek and details about the return. But that did not happen for quite some time, that is when I asked him about the plan for the return to Korangini and the time when we can reach Theni on the 21st as we ppl from B'lore had a bus at 7:00 PM & 8:30 PM from Theni. The response I got from Ravi was not encouraging. He said that we might reach Korangini by 6:00 PM on the 21st and he could not commit on that time. Also when asked as to what other options does one have to go from Top Station to Munnar and then take a bus to Theni, he said he had no idea. I also asked him why it was not mentioned on the CTC Trek invite about the return time and a situation where he cannot commit on the time, so that we from B'lore could have booked the return ticket bus time accordingly, he had no answer and tried to escape from the topic.
I was then contemplating on canceling the return ticket, but since Ram Prasad was also from B'lore he reassured me by saying that we'll find some alternative.
That was when I thought that CTC should not ask for participants from B'lore when they cannot give them the information and support they need. We were feeling left out.
During the entire Trek and stay none of the ppl know of what the next plan of action was since there was no briefing given.. we were just blindly following Ravi and other who were trying to arrange things. When asked about the plan they would feel offended, none of the other group members wanted to ask or were bothered to question them. I felt it was more like a school outing trip where we just need to follow the principal, no questions asked.
Anyways we ppl from B'lore and others who were unable to trek back took a bus from Top Station to Munnar and some went to Theni and a couple of them including me back to Bangalore.
In our weirdest of dreams would we have not imagined that a tragedy of this sort is waiting to happen.
I would conclude by putting forth some pointers, which I hope can be followed in the forthcoming treks/events:
- The group strength was about 43 ppl which is ridiculously huge to manage, for the best of leaders... and looking at who was managing it.. disaster was waiting to happen. Group strength should not exceed 20-25 ppl.
- There was no briefing of the plan and reiteration of the do's and dont's. This should be mandatory.
- Ppl were being compelled to get into the pool near the waterfall which was encountered during the up hill trek. And it was said that its a CTC policy that all have to get into the water.. this is quite ridiculous, no one should be forced to do anything.
- Ppl should always be asked to go in groups, no matter what they are doing.
- All participants should be asked to carry whistles, else add that money to the expenses and provide one whistle to each. This would be helpful in emergencies. Also all should carry torches.
- Ask ppl upfront if they can or cannot swim.
- Have a concrete plan and backup plan in place.
- Use Walkies one with the leader and the other with the sweeper. I'm sure they are not very expensive and last forever.
- Last but not least an organizer should have good communication and leadership skills.
A sad & unfortunate incident indeed.
- Rahul
09620208264
On Tue, Feb 23 at 3:24 PM, Ravi Alagappan wrote:
Hi Guys,
I know you guys will be so upset after this incident. I want you all to know what happened yesterday.
What happen after you guys left to Korangini.
Myself, sathish and 5 other CTCians stayed back in Bodi for the night in a house of Stalin (CTC member, Native of Bodi, not in town) after the request by Stalin's father (Mr. VeeraKumar). And in the morning we were joined by Ranjan's Manager and corporate security team of Fidelity (Ranjan's employeer), we reached Korangini Police station by 8 am. Fire & rescue team arrived at the spot with all the equipments, joined with the corporate security team of Fidelity (has travelled from Chennai to Bodi overnight) went to the water fall where we lost Ranjan. Less than 1/2 hours time, with the help of the ropes & throttles, they pulled up Ranjan's body out of the pool. His body was completed frozen but taken out without any injuries. Now the body got moved down to Korangini and then to the Bodi - GH hosiptal for Post Mortem.
Now I had to file the FIR in my name on Ranjan drowning into the pool after he went to fill water bottles since people trying to rescue failed. After the Post Mortem was done, with report said his lungs was filled with water and which led to cardiac arrest with no injuries.
Vehicle was arranged to transport the body from Bodi to Chennai in a freezer box, So today we all reached chennai in the morning, around 4:30pm the flight leaves to Gawhati with Ranjan's body along with a friend and office security team Person.
More than 40k was spent yesterday and Fidelity took care of the all the financial support and as CTC we did all we could to clear the legal issues at the police and the hospital till now for the body to reach their parents.
Great support was given by Mr. VeeraKumar, Arul sekar (CTC) and Fidelity team for us to handle the situation.
I request everyone, not share any pics and blogs with people & keep yourself quiet until all the legal issues are sorted out.
I will keep you all updated on the happenings.
- Ravi Alagappan.
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