Venkat Raman
New Zealanders in general and members of the Indian community in particular, demonstrated compassion and goodwill last fortnight with their overwhelming support in raising money for transportation of the body of a young student to India and other related expenses.
The body of 26-year-old Boobesh Kumar Palani was sent from Wellington to his hometown Chennai (Tamil Nadu) on Saturday, April 11, 2015.
At press time, we were told that the Coroner’s report determining the cause of death would be known later this week.
Kiwis rescue
Three New Zealanders, Jon Derrick, Kelly McKay and Payge Olds rescued Boobesh from the Wellington harbour at about 1030 pm on Monday, March 30, 2015.
They were with a group of friends when a non-swimmer alerted that a man was drowning.
Payge (16) swam about 80 metres and rescued Boobesh while the other two guided her with shining lights on the water.
Kelly performed CPR on Boopesh before emergency services arrived.
A New Zealander, who was in Sri Lanka, saw the man’s photograph on New Zealand’s websites and identified him as Boobesh, a student who arrived in New Zealand in March 2014 and had completed his higher education recently.
Since then, Indian Newslink has been coordinating efforts with a number of parties.
Modest family
Speaking from Chennai, Mr Balaraman said that he and other members of his family were devastated to hear the news of death of Boobesh in Wellington.
“Boobesh was our only son. He was obedient, well-mannered and full of life. I am a retired man (from Ashok Leyland, Chennai), my wife Thilagavathi is a homemaker and our only daughter works in a small private company. We cannot afford even passports, leave alone travel to New Zealand. We pray God to have mercy on us. We want to see our son and conduct the funeral rites here in Chennai,” he said.
Three Volunteers
Sri Lanka born Rama Ramanathan, a Justice of the Peace and community worker in Wellington, Senthil Kumar Kathiresan and Moorthy Sukari, friends of Boobesh took the initiative of opening a bank account (Boobesh Kumar Palani Trust) at ANZ and launched a collection drive. The objective was to meet the cost of transporting the body to India and to donate some money to the bereaved family.
Aucklanders help
None of the major Indian associations seemed to show any interest but help was forthcoming from many individuals. Former Muthtamil Sangam President Ilango Krishnamoorthy (who is now President of the New Zealand Hindu Temple Society, which is constructing a Temple for Lord Murugan in Mangere, Auckland) was among the first to offer ‘all assistance,’ and contacted a host of people for help.
Vai Ravindran, President of the newly formed Auckland Tamil Association sent an appeal to all his contacts.
Great support
Mr Ramanathan said that public support was stupendous.
“We sent $15,000 through bank transfer to Mr Balaraman on April 10, a day before the body of Boobesh was flown to India. As on April 13, the balance in the Trust account was $26,507.58. We are dealing with ACC and Vero Insurance. We will have the accounts audited by a Chartered Accountant and publish a Financial Report,” he said.
He added that a funeral service will be held at Wellington Institute of Technology on April 23 or 30.
Our salutations
Indian Newslink compliments Indian High Commissioner Ravi Thapar, Second Secretary Second Secretary & Head of Chancery Sandeep Sood, Attache Vipan Malhotra, New Zealand Police National Ethnic Advisor Inspector Rakesh Naidoo, Detective Sergeant Grant Carroll and other staff for their support and assistance in facilitating early processing of formalities to enable the transportation of the body of Boopesh to India.
Their role was reassuring and inspiring.
Associations silent
The death of Boobesh has also emphasised the need for the involvement of Indian associations and other organisations to manage emergencies and tragedies.
In the case of Boobesh, even after his name and the need to raise finance for airlifting his body to India were announced, no major Indian organisation came forward to assist.
The New Zealand Indian Central Association, which is the umbrella organisation for all Indian associations, did not even issue a condolence message, leave alone being actively involved in the related matters.
None of the office-bearers of the New Zealand India Friendship Association came forward even to seek information; they could have done so easily with their Patron (Indian High Commissioner).
Manukau Indian Association President Veer Khar, who emphasises the importance of being close to the community, admitted that he and his colleagues were ‘unaware’ of the death of an international student from India.
It was also a pity that the educational institution at which Boopesh was a student, did nothing to identify him and cooperate with the Police in providing his home address.
The death of Boopesh has raised several valid questions. It is up to the community to answer them. Meanwhile, responsible organisations such as the Indian High Commission, New Zealand Police and Indian Newslink will continue to work together.
Other information including the findings of the Coroner’s Report will appear in our next issue.
