Bengaluru Stampede: Pani Puri seller’s only son dies while attending RCB celebration

Among the many heartbreaking stories emerging from the Bengaluru stampede during the RCB victory celebrations is that of 17-year-old Manoj, the only son of a humble pani puri vendor. Manoj, a second-year PU student at a residence college in Yelahanka, had dreams far bigger than his modest background. His father, who sold pani puri on the streets, worked tirelessly each day to support his son’s education, hoping to see him build a better life.

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Originally from Yadiyur in Kunigal, Tumakuru district, Manoj had come to the Chinnaswamy Stadium to witness the historic moment when RCB lifted their first IPL trophy. But what was meant to be a joyful evening turned into tragedy as overcrowding led to a deadly stampede. Manoj was among the victims who lost their lives.

His grieving mother’s cries pierced through the silence of loss. “If I had known this would happen, I would never have let him go. He was studying so well. His friends took him, but didn’t bring him back,” she sobbed. “We had only one son. Now whom do I call my son? I told him to go carefully and return safe. I just want my son back. Come back, Manoja, come back,” she cried.

The tragedy has left a family shattered and dreams forever unfulfilled.