By: Pir Azhar U Din
Among the nine people who lost their lives in the devastating blast near Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening was 35-year-old Amar Kataria, a resident of Srinivaspuri. For his family, the day began like any other but ended with heartbreak that words can hardly capture.
Amar, who owned a small pharmacy at Bhagirath Palace in Chandni Chowk, left work around 6 PM to head home. He had promised his three-year-old son a toy that evening. But before he could reach home, a powerful explosion ripped through the area near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station.
When Amar’s phone went unanswered for hours, his father, Jagdish Kataria, grew restless. “He was on his way to see us when the blast happened,” Jagdish told Times of India with trembling hands. “We kept calling him… then a woman finally picked up and said there had been an explosion.”
At LNJP Hospital, chaos and despair filled the corridors. Families were rushing between wards, praying their loved ones were alive. For the Katarias, the wait was long and agonizing. It was only after hours that officials confirmed Amar’s death. His identity was confirmed by the tattoos on his arms — ‘Mom My First Love,’ ‘Dad My Strength,’ and ‘Kriti’ — inked lovingly years ago.
“When I saw those tattoos, I knew it was my son,” said Jagdish, holding back tears. “He was my only son… my strength.” (AajTak)
Amar was known in his neighborhood as a cheerful, hardworking man who loved bike rides and adventure. Friends described him as “always full of life, always helping others.” His small pharmacy had been his dream , a business he hoped to grow to give his wife and child a better future.
“He wanted to open another shop soon,” recalled a friend from Bhagirath Palace. “He said, ‘Next year will be better for all of us.’ No one thought it would end like this.”
As Delhi mourns the lives lost in the Red Fort blast, Amar’s home in Srinivaspuri stands silent. A single candle flickers near his photograph, beneath which lies a small toy car , the last gift his son never received.
For his family, there will always be the memory of a son who lived with love and strength — and a tattoo that now tells his story to the world.
