Among dead, youth from Vadodara

The youngest of three brothers and sisters, 22-year-old Zuber, who had been studying in Mumbai since the last couple of years, was staying in Kandivili, and was believed to be returning to his place on board the ill-fated local train when the second blast occurred while it was at Matunga station. The son of city-based industrialist Irtiza Pathan, Zuber, who did his Higher Secondary (HSC) studies in Vadodara’s Navrachana School, was enrolled in Mumbai’s HR College of Commerce and Economics, and was studying to be a chartered accountancy.

Unfortunately, when the blasts occurred, his parents were not in Vadodara, but attending a wedding in their native place, Bhargain in Uttar Pradesh. It was his brother-in-law Intikhab who tried to get in touch with Zuber on his mobile phone, but could only get through the number around 11 pm on Tuesday, only to hear the unfortunate news.

According to his relatives, Zuber had suffered fatal injuries to his head and stomach. Thereafter, Intikhab contacted relatives based in Mumbai who brought Zuber’s remains to Vadodara on Wednesday evening. ‘‘We have no idea how the parents will take this news. Especially his father who is known in the community to always help out for educational causes,’’ said Imtiaz. Relatives say Zuber’s parents had left for Vadodara on hearing the news and are expected to arrive by Wednesday night.

In the neighbourhood of 152 Santoknagar Society, an eerie silence prevailed, as the news spread amongst friends and relatives, all awaiting the return of the parents. Zuber’s burial is scheduled for Thursday after the return of his parents.