Kottayam: The New Year has brought smiles and hope to Kurinjakulam House which had plunged into darkness due to a tragic incident more than two years ago.
A baby sister was born at the house of Apheel Johnson who died after a hammer hit his head accidentally during the state junior athletics championship at Pala.
Apheel’s parents Johnson George and Darly Johnson were blessed with the baby girl at 9.30 am on Monday. She was born in a private hospital in Muvattupuzha.
Apheel, 16, was the only son of the couple. 'Apheel' means 'light'. The couple believes that the baby has brought light back to their lives quite literally.
Apheel was critically injured when a 3 kg hammer fell on his head during the 63rd Kerala State Junior Athletics Meet that was held at the Municipal Stadium in Pala on October 4, 2019. Apheel who was a volunteer at the athletics meet was struck by the hammer thrown by one of the competitors, while he was moving to collect a javelin that had fallen nearby.
He was under treatment at the Kottayam Medical College Hospital where he succumbed to injuries on October 21.
"Apheel’s memories are always alive," says Johnson.
Apheel used to read out the verses of the Bible at home. The moment Darly takes the Bible, she bursts into tears. "Even while entering the labour room, Darly held Apheel’s picture close to her," Johnson recollected.
With deep anguish and pain, Johnson says: "Apheel was our big hope. He had just got admission to the Kerala Blasters junior team and started growing as a sportsman."
While the chargesheet in connection with the freak accident has been filed in the court, the trial has not begun yet. Majority of the 48 witnesses in the case have pointed out the failures on the part of the organizers.
"I hope Apheel will get justice. Otherwise we will approach higher courts including the high court," said Johnson.
