Chemical engineer, dreamt of solving rural India’s water problems

Nearly five months on, Manuel’s children Riyan, 3, and Raniyan, 7, have still not been told that their father is no more. “But Raniyan has understood something is wrong,’’ says Prakash. Riyan, on the other hand, often picks up his uncle’s cellphone, sits in a corner and says: “Hello dad, when are you coming back?”

Adds Prakash: “We take utmost care not to use the word dad or take Manuel’s name in front of the kids. Once I mentioned his name and Riyan looked at me inquiringly.”

A chemical engineer, Manuel’s big dream was to solve the water problems of rural India. He worked for Super Flow, a water treatment firm in Worli as a senior sales engineer. “He was a bright student and brilliant at work,” says Prakash, explaining why Manuel’s boss had entrusted him with the responsibility of conducting seminars on water treatment in other countries.

That day, he was returning home in Nallasopara, a Mumbai suburb. The bomb went off when the train reached Matunga station. Manuel died instantly.

“I just can’t absorb the fact that he is not with us anymore. I really miss him,” says Prakash, breaking down.

Manuel’s children and wife Sarla, 32, have moved into Prakash’s house in Nirmal village, 8 km from Nallasopara. Prakash, who runs a management counselling centre, is Sarla’s elder brother.

Sarla is trying to gather the pieces of her shattered life and look ahead. But it’s been difficult. “She has been very courageous, though,” says family friend Amita Naik.

Amita knew the couple for over six years, and says they were “made for each other”. And also that Manuel was a person who would easily win hearts—a sentiment echoed by his colleagues.

“God had chalked out Manuel’s life and he lived it. Now, I will lead mine, taking care of the children,” says Sarla, who works as a librarian at Utpal Sanghvi School in Juhu.

Over the six months before he died, Manuel had turned spiritual and had started reading the Upanishads and biographies of saints.

Sarla and the family says his passing is a “spiritual challenge’’, and they have found solace in prayers.

“We will stand tall and fight it out,” says Prakash.