Website tributes to Google India couple
By Sree 
 
Google India is in a state of shock with couple Hari Shankar and his wife Roshni Mukherjee assumed to be amongst those who perished in the fire on the Gautami Express which occurred in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of August 1 killing more than 30 people.  Tragically, most of the deceased were charred beyond recognition.
 
Married in last November, the highly regarded and popular couple’s common passion was wildlife photography and it was this hobby of theirs which was taking them all the way to Kakinada on a weekend trip for sighting birds in the backwaters when death intercepted them in the ill-fated Gautami Express. The couple was accompanied by their common friend, Ashok Madaravally who also works for Google. Ashok managed to dodge death. He escaped from the inferno with minor injuries and was treated at a hospital from where his other friends drove him back to Hyderabad.
 
All three friends were in S-10 coach. At around 1 in the night, Ashok suddenly woke up amidst thick smoke and flames. He was still dazed when suddenly a co passenger lent him a hand and guided him to safety. After Ashok jumped out of the train he tried to look for Hari and Roshni but all he could see was burning bogies. Later on he searched for his friends among the injured and the survivors but they were not there.
 
Ashok, is still in a deep state of shock over the bone-chilling tragedy, his encounter with death and most importantly, his ‘missing’ friends.
 
Techgoss has learnt that the three friends have also launched a website http://www.nerdybirders.com for sharing their photographs and experiences of Indian wildlife with the aim of helping people explore the diverse beauty of India's wilderness and appreciate the importance of nature conservation.

Their website nerdybirders.com has become a focal point for grief, with a number of friends leaving heartfelt comments in the guestbook.