BENGALURU, 6 JUNE

A 71-year-old woman was among a group of people from Bengaluru who died during Sahastra Tal trek in Uttarakhand after being caught in a blizzard on Monday.

Asha Sudhakar, who retired from SBI as deputy manager with a service of 32 years, has been into mountaineering for 35 years. The resident of MCECHS Layout near Baiyappanahalli has visited the Himalayas 38 times, where she engaged in climbing expeditions, trekking adventures, and mountaineering and skiing courses. Hailing from Thuckalay in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, Asha trekked hills across Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Goa.

Asha's passing has left a deep void among her loved ones. She is survived by her husband, Sriramulu Sudhakar, and son, Himajith Sudhakar, who currently is married and settled in the US.

Friends and relatives who visited the family’s residence here on Thursday described her as a compassionate and kind individual. “She was a bright and cheerful lady. Her presence at the workplace cheered all of us. She was kind and compassionate to every person even if they are from a lower strata of society,” a former colleague and friend of Asha, who did not wish to be named, told Salar News.

“Asha was known for her adventurous spirit. She never used to sit tight at home. She has been to many treks before as well. She was so excited to go on this trip, but fate had other plans for her. May her soul rest in peace," her friend added.

Their tenant, Sakshi (name changed), also expressed her sorrow. "I just moved in here a year ago and they were so warm and kind to me, especially Asha. I have a 10-month-old child who is loved by them as though he is their grandson. It will be hard for me or my son not to see her again," she said.

Her husband, who is en route to Dehradun, said once the formalities are done, they will bring back the bodies of all the trekkers to Bengaluru and hand them over to the respective family members. “I will do the final rites for my wife in the presence of my son and daughter-in-law,” he told Salar News. —Salar News