ELANTHOOR: Thomas Cherian's younger sister, Mary Thomas, was 12 years old when she heard about her brother’s tragic death in the plane crash in 1968. During those times, telephones were a luxury and it was through telegram that the message reached the family. The house went into wailing when people understood the seriousness of the accident.
The family then waited for the corpse to arrive but to no respite. Everyone in the family wanted Thomas Cherian to be laid to rest in Elanthoor Karoor Church. Mary’s father OM Thomas, a former panchayat member used his influence and tried best to bring the body home but to no avail.
Letters of reply from the army continued until her father died in 1990. Until her death in 1998, Thomas’ mother Eliayamma received pension from the Indian army without any delay. Mary now lives near Elantoor Market Junction.
Thomas Cherian’s younger brother Thomas Thomas last saw his brother at Chengannur railway station. He was on his way to work at BHEL Company in Haryana. "Elder brother Thomas Mathew joining the army inspired Thomas Cherian in a big way.
He loved adventure, was brilliant in studies and had a calm demeanour" - said Thomas Thomas. The Indian Army on Monday recovered the remains of Thomas Cherian, a soldier from Elanthoor, Pathanamthitta, who died in a plane crash in 1968. Cherian was among those who lost their lives in the Rohtang Pass plane crash.
The Army said that the remains of Thomas Cherian were recovered from the snow-capped mo.
