Unthinkable Tragedy: A Mother’s Heartbreak, A Father’s Resilience, and a Racing Community in Mourning

Sandhya Jayanthi S leaned in, her gaze fixed on her 13-year-old son, Shreyas Hareesh. With a determined expression, she positioned her right ear close to his nose, listening intently for his breath. In that moment, she hoped that the funeral she was attending, with tears streaming down her face, was nothing but a nightmare.

But the heart-wrenching truth was undeniable—Sandhya would never hear Shreyas breathe again, a reality that haunted her as she wailed in grief at the funeral. Shreyas’ lifeless body lay before their home in Sahakara Nagar, casting a grim and painful reality upon the scene. This was no dream; it was a sombre reality that shattered the world of a mother who had cherished her son’s every breath.

As Sandhya clung to the faint hope of finding closure, she turned to Amit Arora, the race director of the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship—the event that tragically took Shreyas’ life in a gruesome crash just days ago. Gripping Arora’s hands, Sandhya implored for answers. “Was it the helmet? Was it the helmet? How did this happen?” her desperate cries echoed, while Arora struggled to find words amidst his own tears. Yet, the answers she sought seemed elusive, driving her back to her son’s lifeless form, her ear pressed against his nose once again.

Amidst the grief-stricken scene, Hareesh Parandhaman, Shreyas’ father, stood motionless, a pillar of unwavering strength. His clenched jaws and occasional moments of breaking down revealed the depth of his mourning. Hareesh had been there from the beginning—holding the fragile baby in his arms when Shreyas was born in 2010, introducing his son to the world of racing, sacrificing his own job to nurture Shreyas’ racing dreams, and standing strong in the face of scepticism from their family. It was Hareesh who fostered his son’s journey, accompanying him to every race, including training sessions in Spain. He was the driving force behind Shreyas’ transformation from ‘The Bengaluru Kid’ to a promising star on the Indian racing circuit.

Now, as he stood there, consoling his inconsolable daughter and comforting his grieving wife, the reality of his son’s untimely demise weighed heavily on his heart. With a Tri-colour draped over Shreyas’ body and the National anthem playing in the background, the moment marked the sombre culmination of a young life full of potential. Amidst the gathering of around 300 individuals, including some of the country’s finest racers, the racing community struggled to come to terms with the heart-wrenching events that had transpired in the past few days.

In the wake of this unthinkable tragedy, the anguish of a mother, the resilience of a father, and the collective grief of a racing community stand as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life. Shreyas’ untimely departure has left a void that no words can fill, but his memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him, loved him, and witnessed his passion for racing.

News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh 11th August  2023