(Picture Supplied)
Venkat Raman
Auckland, September 17, 2021
We are sorry to report the death of Jaikuwar Prasard, mother of Prem Prasad and mother-in-law of former Member of Parliament (Labour), Chief Families Commissioner and Race Relations Commissioner Dr Rajen Prasad this morning (Friday, September 17, 2021) at the North Shore Hospital in Auckland.
She was 97 years old and left behind, apart from Prem and Rajen, their children (daughter) Indira and (son) Pramen, their respective spouses and two grandchildren.
Ms Prasard developed old age complications yesterday and was admitted to the hospital.
Born in Suva, Fiji on August 29, 1924, Ms Prasard married Shiv Narayan Prasard and migrated with him to New Zealand in 1943. The couple had a shop selling vegetables and fruits on Wellington Street in Central Auckland for many years. Prem and her brother (who died young) were born in Auckland.
The Prasards was brought to New Zealand by Manilal Doctor, a British Indian barrister and politician who was sent by Mahatma Gandhi to several countries of the British Empire including Fiji, Mauritius and Aden to assist the local ethnic Indian population.
He arrived in Fiji in 1912 but left the country several years later under unpleasant circumstances. He brought Mr Prasard to New Zealand.
Ms Prasard will be remembered by a large circle of associates and friends as a humble, humorous and kind person who genuinely cared for people. Her husband passed away 66 years ago and was looked after by Prem and Rajen.
Indian Newslink joins hundreds of friends of Ms Prasard, Prem and Rajen in expressing their condolences to the grieving family and prays that the departed soul should rest in peace.
We will publish details of the funeral service in due course.
