M A I N   N E W S

Virginia Tech Shootings
Minal’s death confirmed
Ashish Kumar Sen writes from Washington

Minal Hiralal Panchal is the second person of Indian origin to die in the horrific incident on Monday that left 33 persons, including the shooter dead. The shooter was identified as 23-year-old Cho Seung-hui,a Virginia Tech student of South Korean origin. In a note left in his room, Cho railed against "rich kids," "debauchery" and "deceitful charlatans" on the campus.

A Masters student in Building Sciences,26-year-old Panchal was in Norris Hall when Cho struck. The other Indian fatality, G.V. Loganathan, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, was reportedly teaching a class when he was shot.

Moments after news of Panchal's death was confirmed, the Mumbaikar's online networking Orkut page was abuzz with messages of shock from across the world. In her own words, Panchal had a sarcastic sense of humour and was passionate about her work, nature and architecture.

One poster recalled the great moments spent with Panchal. "U'r insistence to see the water front in DC. U'r genuine statement that u won't buy African diamonds after we saw Blood Diamond. We will cherish the Prasad u used to give every single day using the Ganesh Festival. We will miss that sweet and genuine, simple and our beloved friend," her friend wrote. Earlier on Tuesday, at the time Panchal was believed missing, a friend wrote, "I heard that you are missing and it is still not confirmed that you passed away. You must be hiding somewhere and all of a sudden you will appear and surprise us. I am waiting for that moment little doll."

Soon after, another wrote, "I was just hoping and praying that you are alive but read the news just now and we all are feeling too sad about it. May your soul rest in peace."

Meanwhile, President George W. Bush attended a convocation at the university on Tuesday to honour the victims of the shooting. "This is a day of sadness for our entire nation," Mr Bush said. "People all over the country are thinking about you, asking God to provide comfort for all who have been affected."