This story was updated at 5 pm on Saturday, February 5, 2022
Venkat Raman
Auckland, February 5, 2022
Indian Newslink would like to acknowledge the timely financial support provided by the Wellington-based Indian High Commission enabling the airlift of the body of a young woman who died in Hamilton earlier this week.
Thirty-One-Year-old Divya Manoj died on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at the Waikato Hospital in Hamilton, reportedly succumbing to cardiac arrest.
Her body is being sent to Kerala on Monday, February 7, 2022, by Emirates (EK449) flight scheduled to depart Auckland at 6.15 pm en route Dubai and scheduled to arrive in Cochin at 3.05 am on Wednesday, February 9, 2022.
The Sacred Heart Syro Malabar Catholic Mission of Hamilton has been supporting Manoj Jose and his family and had arranged for a viewing and Memorial Service at St Pius X Catholic Church, Hamilton on Thursday, February 3, 2022.
On the same day, viewing and a Memorial Service was held at SAFS Funeral Services Limited in Otahuhu, Auckland. Several hundred people attended the two Services held in the two cities.
Divya left behind her husband Manoj Jose and their two small children- son Johan Joseph (3) and Katherine Ann (2), who have since left for India.
Communities raised more than $107,000 through Give a Little Page but procedural delays would mean that the family will receive the funds only after a month.
Timely help by Indian High Commissioner
Meanwhile, following a request from Indian Newslink and Manoj Jose, supported by the Hamilton Kerala Samajam, Auckland Malayali Samajam, Knanaya Catholic Association of New Zealand and Sacred Heart Syro Malabar Catholic Mission, Indian High Commissioner Muktesh Pardeshi ordered payment of the air transport charges (costing about $12,000).
Thereafter, Head of Chancery and Second Secretary Doss Jeyakumar contacted SAFS Funeral Services Limited to have the body released for air transportation to India.
Tragedy hits family
While Divya arrived in New Zealand in January 2021, Manoj came into the country in November. The young family were together in New Zealand for less than three months when fate took away the young woman.
Divya was a qualified nurse and was employed at Tamahere Eventide Home and Village, a Rest Home for the Elderly. She had earlier worked at Fortis Health Care in Hamilton and a few medical centres in India. She hailed from Ramamangalam, Piravam, while Manoj is from Adimali, both in the South Indian State of Kerala.
Auckland Malayali Samajam President Soby Bernard Thomas, Hamilton Kerala Samajam President Rajesh Raveendran and Knanaya Catholic Association of New Zealand told Indian Newslink that Manoj is still under shock and that he comes from a modest economic background.
Communities pour generosity
The Hamilton Kerala Samajam has been offering support to the grieving family and set up an appeal On Give A Little Page.
“The money collected will be useful to cover some of the costs associated with this extremely sad time. Travel costs are very high in these Covid-19 times and we hope to make this difficult time more bearable for Divya’s family,” Soby, Rajesh and Joby said.
