Teenaged Tamil Nadu paddler dies in Meghalaya mishap; 3 hurt

Modi, Sangma, Stalin express grief

GUWAHATI/CHENNAI: Vishwa Deenadayalan, a table tennis player from Tamil Nadu, died and his three teammates were injured in a road mishap in Meghalaya, police said.

The tragic incident occurred on Sunday when Vishwa (18) and three other Tamil Nadu table tennis players were on their way in a tourist taxi from Guwahati airport to Shillong to take part in the 83rd Senior National Table Tennis Championship.

The taxi in which the four players were travelling collided with a 12-wheel truck at the Ri-Bhoi district, injuring them critically. Vishwa died on the way to the Nongpoh Civil hospital.

The other three injured players were rushed from Nongpoh to the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) in Shillong.

Doctors at the NEIGRIHMS said the three injured players are in a stable condition and out of danger.

Vishwa's parents and other family members will travel to Shillong to receive his mortal remains.

The teenagers had won several junior, sub-junior and cadet titles in the country and abroad.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed deep grief over the demise of Vishwa Deenadayalan.

In a tweet Prime Minister Modi said: "The demise of TT champion Vishwa Deenadayalan is shocking and saddening. He was admired by fellow players and had distinguished himself in several competitions. In this tragic hour my thoughts are with his family and friends. Om Shanti."

Condoling the demise, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur tweeted: "Heartbreaking to learn that Tamil Nadu paddler, Deenadayalan Vishwa passed away in an accident in Ri Bhoi district. He was on his way to Shillong to participate in the 83rd Senior National Table Tennis Championship. Sincere condolences to his family and friends."

Condoling Vishwa's death, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma tweeted: "Saddened to learn that Tamil Nadu paddler, Deenadayalan Vishwa passed away after an accident in Ri Bhoi district while on his way to Shillong to participate in the 83rd Senior National Table Tennis Championship in our State."

The Meghalaya Table Tennis Association expressed grief at the sudden death of the young paddler.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, condoling Vishwa's untimely death, said that it is sad that he passed away when everyone was expecting him to achieve big in the future.

Conveying his grief to Vishwa's parents, Stalin announced a solatium of Rs 10 lakh out of Chief Minister's Relief Fund to the young player's family. (IANS)

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