PONDA, March 14 -- While everywhere in Ponda Taluka Holi was celebrated with vibrant colour, dance and music, the festival turned tragic for a family and friends after two youth, drowned in the Ganjem river at Usgao. A group of 40 people had gone to the Ganjem riverside for a picnic to celebrate Holi, on Friday.

The names of the deceased are Prakash Shankarappa Hadpad (aged 20) student and Sharnappa Sangappa Hadpad (20) both resident of Khandpaband Ponda and natives of Karnataka.

The incident occurred Friday evening at around 3.30 pm. To celebrate the Holi festival and also to beat the scorching heat, group of family and friends of around 40 members had gone for picnic at Ganjem river Usgao, Besides this there were some local also enjoy...