Symbol of determination: Former Union Minister Dhanuskodi Athithan lost his arm in an accident in 2006. However, this did not deter him from continuing his normal activities in public life. | Photo credit: A. SHAIKMOHIDEEN
On a Saturday afternoon in August 2006, a long-standing Congress leader and former Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Dhanuskodi Athithan, his wife and daughter were on their way to Thoothukudi from Tirunelveli. It was supposed to be a short trip considering the distance (about 45 km).
But this turned out to be a treacherous journey for the former Union minister as the car he was traveling in met with an accident near Vagaikulam, leading to the death of his wife and serious injuries to everyone else in the vehicle. The Congress leader lost his left hand.
Published – 06 Apr 2026 0:00 IST
