‘Please stop making fun of anyone’s tragedy’: Arindam Das’ sister

Bhubaneswar: Reacting to news circulating on social media that family of Arindam Das, who died during live coverage of elephant rescue operation in Mundali barrage last week, sought financial assistance from public, the deceased journalist’s sister made a statement describing it as ‘fake’.

Jharana Das, younger sister of Arindam Das, urged people on social media not to circulate such fake news and rumours after passing away of her brother in the boat tragedy.

“Please stop making fun of anyone’s tragedy,” Jharana Das tweeted today posting her statement on the microblogging site. ‘

In this tough time, this is what I could think of doing to stop the rumors circulating about my brother Arindam Das. We are not in a condition to take these. Try to think what if it happens with your own family. Please stop making fun of anyone’s tragedy 🙏 #ArindamDas pic.twitter.com/D7xBRpFH9S

— Jharana Das (@Jharna_2wt) October 1, 2021

As per the statement, Arindam was living in a joint family that comprises of 3 sisters, two brothers including him, mother, uncle (father’s brother), aunt, wife and his son. His all siblings are settled and doing well in their personal lives.

“Our father late Shri Jugal Kishore Das was working in SBI, who was well known for his honesty and humanity. As our father, my brother was also pure at heart. He was dedicated to his work and was never behind money.

By the grace of God, we will be able to manage this tough situation so that his wife and son can lead a respectful life,” she wrote.

She ruled out the rumours circulating on social media that her family is in urgent need of money.

“Instead we need strength from all our well wishers to go through this tough time,” Das stated.

She extended her gratitude to people who are praying for strength, support and love for her bereaved family.

She appealed to people who are spreading fake news after demise of her brother, to spare her family and show humanity.

Arindam Das, a young journalist of leading TV news channel in Odisha, reportedly drowned in strong water current in Mahanadi River during live reporting of rescue operation of an elephant stuck at Mundali barrage on September 24.

A power boat carrying as many as six ODRAF personnel and two journalists including Arindam Das was engaged in rescue mission of the elephant in Mundali barrage. However, the boat capsized and all personnel drowned in the water. While some managed to survive and were safely fished out of water, Arindam and another ODRAF staff died in the tragedy.