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Updated 28 Feb, 2018

Bollywood superstar Sridevi's demise has shaken India — and it's not just the unexpectedness of her death that's left people reeling.

Also read: Sridevi's case closed by Dubai police, remains handed over to family

The Indian media has revealed its worst excesses in its coverage of Sridevi's death and people are shocked at how low TV channels have stooped for ratings.

Here are 5 ways Indian media failed Sri Devi after her death:

1) TV channels didn't wait for the facts surrounding her death

When it was earlier reported that Sridevi died after 'cardiac arrest', TV talk shows held lengthy discussions about the state of the late actor's health.

A lot of conjecture that floated about on social media — rumours of her consuming diet pills, having weight reduction surgery, adhering to a strict keto diet, among others — made it to prime-time discussions among 'analysts', when in fact, there should have been wait for her official post-mortem report, which revealed that Sridevi died due to "accidental drowning after a loss of consciousness".

Not only was this disrespectful to the deceased, as if she was responsible for bringing about her end, it goes against media ethics to fuel rumours instead of reporting facts.

Like, this journalist said:

2) They thought it okay to simulate the scene of her death

Indian media's new motto may as well be no photo, no problem.

With no visual complement for their 'analysis', TV channels resorted to simulating the scene of Sridevi's death.

AajTak decided to place their reporter at the scene of her death, with the bathtub reading 'Maut Ka Bathtub':

CNN News 18 thought it fit to photoshop a comatose Sridevi in a bathtub:

While one channel added a wine glass as detail...

TV9 Telugu thought the picture wasn't complete without Boney Kapoor:

ABP News even promised to take viewers through "Sridevi's last 15 mins in bathroom":

TV channels made a mockery of the Indian press with these examples of gross sensationalism. Hopefully, criticism from their own consumers will convince them to improve their journalistic standards.

3) They exaggerated her husband Boney Kapoor's police interrogation

It's standard procedure for the police to question the deceased's next of kin or the person to have discovered the body. And true to practice, the Dubai Police did just that.

But, according to this article, "it was exclusive news that Boney Kapoor had been “grilled” for 16-18 hours, and even spent the night at the police station. That Boney had been “cleared” by the police was hidden, like a footnote."

4) They openly wondered if drinking had to do with her death

When the forensic report revealed that there were “traces of alcohol” in her blood, which simply suggests that she consumed some before her death, TV channels ran with the information.

They carried out open probes on her drinking habits, interviewing friends on whether Sridevi usually drank red wine or vodka. One 'analyst' surmised that one glass of alcohol and an antidepressant could have been her undoing, when there's no evidence to suggest that Sridevi would have taken the latter. There were also extended discussions on what frustrated Sridevi, what caused her to drink that night, and so on.

5) They also carried out some very unnecessary analysis

In her article on Indian media coverage of Sridevi's death, Barkha Dutt notes that news anchors discussed "whether a trained dancer could lose her balance in the bathtub" and "whether Indians get any of this, because, you see, we mostly use the shower — or bathe from buckets and don’t have a “bathtub culture.”

Comments

SATT Feb 27, 2018 08:02pm
Sri Devi is more famous in Pakistan than India.
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Nomansland Feb 27, 2018 08:41pm
I think they can make a movie on this !! The title is already there 'Maut ka Bathtub'.. horror genre I reckon !!
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raju Feb 27, 2018 09:04pm
Indian tv don't have news channel they have entertainment channels which show some headlines
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speak_truth Feb 27, 2018 09:07pm
It is true, South Asians don't have a bathtub culture. Even in the West the bathtub culture is mostly confined to the movies.
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M. Ehmad Feb 27, 2018 09:10pm
And why are we worried?
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Vinod Narang Feb 27, 2018 09:21pm
Instead of giving due respect to departed and her family Indian TV ran for ratings. A shameful act by producers and anchors of the news. What ever happened to real news. Find the facts do some research and then go live. Shame on all Indian channels and news papers who did not show enough sensitivity to the matter. RIP ShriDevi you will be missed.
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Shahryar Shirazi Feb 27, 2018 09:37pm
Indian media. What do you expect!
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JK Feb 27, 2018 09:43pm
"Maut ka Bathtub". This is next level. glad to know our media isn'.t the worst on the planet. they have competition next door.
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Joe Feb 27, 2018 09:46pm
Stupidly
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Birdie Num Num Feb 27, 2018 09:50pm
This type of reporting was expected of Indian media. Hope there is some governing body that looks into this sort of behaviour and apologies are issued to the grieving family with maybe donations made to some charities.
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Omair Feb 27, 2018 09:57pm
India has a lot of strengths. media certainly isn't one of them. Appaling!
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Darren Feb 27, 2018 10:12pm
Indian media is an absolute joke! All they know is to blame everything on Pakistan and make silly little graphics! Ridiculous!
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Hamid Bashir Feb 27, 2018 10:17pm
Instead, Indian new channels should photoshop themselves drowning in toilet for such a bad job. A big icon has passed away. Celebrate her life and talent rather than sensationalize her last living moments.
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GK Feb 27, 2018 10:27pm
It is a murder and media does not have the dare to put the possibility...
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k k tiwari Feb 27, 2018 10:35pm
these channels are worst I hate them , Only WION is better
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Carol Lee Murphy Feb 27, 2018 10:42pm
Bollywood is world wide media. this lady was so beautiful why did she die so young,people live into their eighties nineties, media fame has taken from who she truly was. its cruel. but like other stars she will be made the subject of commentary for years to come, and in a way imortalised
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Kumarscala Feb 27, 2018 10:58pm
@Omair Not sure why Pakistanis are worried about the Indian Media, besides Sridevi was an Indian Actress and will be shown due respect by all Indians, not sure why Pakistanis are worried about her,
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Ahmad Feb 27, 2018 11:04pm
@SATT I had no idea who Sridevi was before her death.
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Uday Feb 27, 2018 11:18pm
I agree to the author. Indian news channels really failed Sri .
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chandra Feb 27, 2018 11:44pm
Media has reached lowest levels and quality of news coverage lacks credibility and respect. We are suffering badly at hands of our media.
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MSR Feb 27, 2018 11:52pm
@SATT Dont know about that but she was definitely given more respect by Pakistani media then her own country's media after her death.
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ABD Feb 28, 2018 12:01am
if anyone is looking for the fact in TV news of any country, they are mistaken. People living in a nuclear family do not have enough drama in their life compared to a large family of few generations living under a single roof. Facts do not sell, drama sells. TV news has become a reality show that will go to any extreme to gain higher TRP. They would not hesitate to even, show adult contents in their news stories, if the law allowed it, to make money for their channel.
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Shahid Haneef Feb 28, 2018 12:06am
We Pakistanis love Sridevi more than Indians...
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Sara Feb 28, 2018 12:10am
She was beautiful. Shame on tv reporters for their disgrace coverage. Trump is right by saying fake news. RIP beautiful Sri Devi
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manso Feb 28, 2018 12:31am
In Pakistan we treated the news and circumtances of her death with Great respect. A dead person DESERVES respect !! Woe to Indian channels . Sensationalism is what they practice
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Dunya.pk Feb 28, 2018 01:07am
Haha yes i agree with author here , Indian news channels are greedy for ratings , level of journalism in India is decreasing day by day
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N abidi Feb 28, 2018 01:36am
India news channels are like their entertainment channels. News should be fact based,with out enhance sound affects and dramatic language . I guess the aggressive coverage ,is due to compition. Never the less , Indian news does not report facts, not the source to get accurate information!
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ahaq Feb 28, 2018 02:04am
Certainly the death investigation did mention alcohol in post mortem blood test
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Gulzar Feb 28, 2018 02:32am
It's very true AND very disturbing. India needs to regulate media in order to restore sanity and accountability.
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Ajith Narayan Feb 28, 2018 02:41am
I am an Indian living outside India. I love my country but really hate our media . I appreciate your honest analysis .
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ahmed Feb 28, 2018 02:59am
Why are we obsessed with Indian media? Whole of South Asian tv media is well below par, look at our chat shows !
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Dhakkan Feb 28, 2018 03:16am
What a sad ending.
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whateva Feb 28, 2018 03:20am
they will be revealed next!
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Khadija Feb 28, 2018 03:58am
Perhaps this article should not have included the disrespectful screenshots of Sri Devi.
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true believer Feb 28, 2018 04:13am
Shame on media! I think media is doing manipulating exaggerating from several years now to improve their ratings. But not thinking that actually moving away from public and reality.
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aks Feb 28, 2018 04:21am
Illustration makes it easier to understand the topic. Mainstream media does not show what people should be watching. It shows what majority of viewers want to watch.
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Siddhartha Feb 28, 2018 05:14am
Although I am not happy with Indian TV and media but one thing we have to remember that they are all looking for news and want to make money by any how. However, you can not control that in a big country like India where so many TV channels in so many different languages.
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Ahsan Siddiqui Feb 28, 2018 05:40am
Interesting, to note this review. Pakistani TV channels do the same .. May I need to remind them of Imran Khans wedding debacle to just to name one? ...
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Sajid Nawaz raja Feb 28, 2018 05:53am
Made 'Controversial' on logically suspicious grounds, death of the famous Indian film star, seems natural quite apparently. Indian Media's sensationalism and its investigative sense of curiosity is already well known. Like, it could be with any other Media, as anywhere else, 'Media' should be taken as Media which has its own role and demands of its role. First of all, Sri Devi was, a legendary figure of Indian Cinema, in fact, a 'Cinematic Icon' , later, she was associated with a 'Kapoor' nomenclature, then, Media was also impacted by Super League Cricket Festivity in UAE, Pakistan and ultimately in India. So the 'abnormal' sensationalism was just 'natural' and logical if seen realistically. Mourning of the 'Deceased' shouldn't have been spoilt anyway, was the real concern to be aired for the sake of people, Sri Devi fans, family and friends. Controversies, rumours and scams are taken to be a part of the filmdom and the stardom, anyhow. Condoling the bereaved family, people, particularly, Indian Media people need to be careful such human concerns. Here, ratings and publicity, actually doesn't matter anymore. Thanks. SNR.
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Sripriya Feb 28, 2018 05:56am
If there are multiple versions of the stories emerge, it is right that Media analyzes it like they have done. Looks like Dubai is as unprofessional as India when it comes to dealing with celebrities. "Accidental" Drowning and gosh, how did they come to that judgment?
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sudhanshu Feb 28, 2018 06:03am
Indian Media is shameless to say the least..possibly the worst across the world. The can sensationalise anything for TRP gain...
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Zain Feb 28, 2018 06:10am
Good analysis.
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Gautam Feb 28, 2018 06:36am
Junk media
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R S Chakravarti Feb 28, 2018 06:39am
@Shahryar Shirazi Boycott Bollywood!
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Bakht Feb 28, 2018 06:42am
I always thought Indians only criticized Pakistan here in comments section, good to know that they can do it to their country too. I like where India is heading.
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Farouq Omaro Feb 28, 2018 06:56am
Darn, where were these reporters trained! North Korea?
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Ranjankanti Bhattacharjee Feb 28, 2018 07:17am
Credibility of most of Indian TV channels is almost zero. We don't believe them.
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Abhi Feb 28, 2018 07:18am
I am pretty sure that Pak media is worst then Indian media. But in this case, I agree with article...most of Indian TV media displayed utter foolishness, insensitive and sensationalism in dealing Sridevi’s Death.
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Akhan Feb 28, 2018 07:21am
It's very easy to criticize others even though I agree that Indian news follows a very low or non ethical and moral values in there broadcasting.. never the less I believe same can be true for if not all Pakistan base news channels.
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sadaf Feb 28, 2018 07:44am
This is not the first time indian media behaved this way and definitely not the last.
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Indian Feb 28, 2018 08:01am
Good article. Indian media is getting worse by the day. Have lost all sense of propriety .
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Indian Feb 28, 2018 08:39am
agreed most of the news channels covered it insensitively but there were some channels like Zee news who reported it sensibly.
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Mujahid Feb 28, 2018 08:51am
Indian media exaggerates things out of proportion.
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Munib khan Feb 28, 2018 09:08am
@raju LOL, very well put buddy. I think its pretty much the same around the world now, maybe some European countries have a mature news media - everyone else is just busy sensationalizing non-events.
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Ganesh Kailasam Feb 28, 2018 09:17am
I strongly believe there is foul play. It is unfortunate it happened in Dubai and Indian police do not have access to scene of crime. Do not believe investigation was fair and case was closed in a hurry.
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Ahmed Bilal Sheikh Feb 28, 2018 10:26am
pathetic
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Zahid Feb 28, 2018 10:38am
Shameful Shameful Shameful...
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Ateeq Ahmed Feb 28, 2018 10:45am
sorry state of journalism in India.....
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Taimur Feb 28, 2018 11:07am
I thought Pakistani media is the worst but looking into these news and watching some of the channels myself Indian media is pathetic. They were talking about traces of alcohol and were declaring it as cause of death without even mentioning what was the level of alcohol and from where did they get this information. Being a fan of SriDevi it was much hurting for me.
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Syed irfan ali Feb 28, 2018 11:25am
Sad to see the irresponsible media. She deserved much better. Rest in Peace Sri Devi. A true Devi!!!
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guzni Feb 28, 2018 11:56am
Really media all over the places, but more specifically in India and Pakistan is very irresponsible. Shame on these channels. Rating system MUST be abolished to bring these channels under some rules and regulations. Heavy fines must be imposed as well.
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Arun-KS Feb 28, 2018 12:31pm
I am sad seeing attitude & insensitivity of visual media of my own country.
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RWS Feb 28, 2018 01:54pm
Yet another example of how infinitely terrible and uncultured Indian Media is.
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Pawan Feb 28, 2018 02:07pm
Being Indian, I can vouch for the fact that most of our news channels sensationalize news just for TRP so that they get paid more by advertisers. Worse are Hindi and regional news channels. Looks like they don't know the difference between news and entertainment. This debate is going on in most countries. Time for media to be brought to their senses. They are playing like small kids given a powerful tool they don't deserve. A global media regulator needed?
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AVINASH Feb 28, 2018 02:12pm
Rightly said Dawn
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Mike Feb 28, 2018 03:09pm
Still they talk about freedom of press...There should be punishment for being spreading fake news too.
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Abuzar Feb 28, 2018 03:18pm
Sri Devi was an outstanding actor, no one can judge how good she was not only as an actor but as human being as well. But do we really need to discuss or analyze how India failed Sri Devi.
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maqboolhussain Feb 28, 2018 03:36pm
Best actoress for all time
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Satya Feb 28, 2018 03:47pm
I am an Indian and I can say, our media sucks big time. It's one of the worst in planet earth.
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Ankur Feb 28, 2018 04:01pm
Yes,I agree with Dawn.These news channels have stooped so low that they should be ashamed of themselves.They are going frenzy as if she is the first human to die on this Earth.
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Raja Muhammad Shoaib Feb 28, 2018 04:05pm
Rest in peace dear star.
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Raja Muhammad Shoaib Feb 28, 2018 04:07pm
We should not disgrace her. After she is no more among us.
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Shibu Feb 28, 2018 04:31pm
Except DD News, all Indian news channels are entertainment channels eyeing on TRP ratings only.
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Ala Feb 28, 2018 04:38pm
Shame on Indian news channels. Unethical and unfit to be called news channels. Covering one death continuously for 3 days is shameful
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Still curious Feb 28, 2018 04:40pm
@manso I feel so ashamed. This is worse than the worst. Some heads should turn.
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Sachin Feb 28, 2018 06:12pm
Most Indian TV media is piece of junk. Just about TRP, money and selling ads
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darma Feb 28, 2018 06:34pm
I am writing from Malaysia. Your coverage is very decent befitting a great actress. I agree with you. The coverage in most of the Indian media is pure sensational without respecting her or her family members.
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MS Feb 28, 2018 07:04pm
In India the only news channel is D D News. Rest all are cartoons...
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SANKAR SUBRAHMANIYAM Feb 28, 2018 11:04pm
Though I am from India , I agree with this view. Not only in this case but in general the media is stooping very low. I started following foreign media for neutral views
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Shah Feb 28, 2018 11:26pm
@JK listen ...your indian news channela are cartoon networks....they created news for laugh....
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Minu Mar 01, 2018 12:30am
I don’t understand how can she drown in bath tub? Even if she was drunk she could still feel she is drowning and jump out after realizing that she is drawning. I don’t believe she drowned. There’s more to that. Sridevi was such a active and alert actress with so much wonderful qualities and such a full of life person. She wasn’t a alcoholic person. How can she died drowning? There is definitely more to that.
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Armin Mar 01, 2018 12:40am
I think it is not the fault of the news channels only,they won't show things if people are not interested in them.
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SKB Mar 01, 2018 08:33am
@Shahryar Shirazi Exactly the reason, i stopped watching Indian news media a long time back. It is either DD news or online news websites for me. You Pakistanis are lucky that your news channels are still sensitive and neutral broadcasters, like the Dawn, the Nation. But over commercialisation will kill that spirit.
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Vijay, Salem Mar 01, 2018 01:57pm
For us Tamilians she would always remembered as "Mayil".Our school day memories are not complete without her. RIP.
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