Community hero dies after building bridge
Northdale resident Rakesh Ramkarin, has been hailed a community hero. He died shortly after helping to repair a bridge on Erna Road.
Sanjay Sewrathan, a community leader and cousin of the deceased, said he had spent the day with Ramkarin repairing the bridge that the elderly in the community utilise to get to the shop. He added that pupils in the area also use the bridge to get to and from school.
“It is not unusual for Rakesh and I to spend time together as we are more than just relatives; we are also neighbours and close friends. He seemed well and fine to me.
His death is an absolute shock to us,” Sewrathan said.
Ramkarin died following a heart attack.
Sewrathan said Monday was special because the two of them had eventually repaired the bridge. They had previously spent much time and effort to obtain assistance from the ward councillor, the municipality and high-ranking politicians to repair the bridge. But no help was forthcoming from them.
Eventually, Sewrathan took it upon himself to get sponsors for the materials needed and they went out to repair the bridge themselves.
“I remember Rakesh being delighted when I told him I had secured all we needed to repair the bridge,” Sewrathan said.
“I asked everyone in the community to help and my cousin was the first and only one who volunteered to help,” said Sewrathan.
“My cousin never complained and was always willing to help people. He did not have a lot to give financially, but he was very generous with his heart and time,” he said.
He said he vividly remembers Ramkarin saying “as long as I’m here, I’ll help” when approached with the idea of helping to repair another bridge that has been forgotten by all except members of the community.
Community leader and activist, Pinkey Nundlal, said it was “heartbreaking to lose such a Good Samaritan, so suddenly and so soon.”
Nundlal said the bridge was a major issue that affected the elderly who would fall through or off it. She said it was also a safety risk for children who would have to constantly pause after every step because of how precarious the bridge was. “The slowing down by all those who utilised the bridge made them vulnerable to vagrants in the area who could run up to them, mug them and then escape,” Nundlal said.
Lucky Naicker a former councillor, said it was “inspiring” to know that Ramkarin spent his "last day on earth working for the good of the community" and that his family must be so proud of his legacy. Naicker added that politicians often visited the area, acknowledged the bridge and unkept grass, but did nothing to help which made an average citizen stepping up to help all the more respectable.
Brunetta Reddy, secretary and public relations officer for the Northern Areas Ratepayer’s and
Residents Association (Narra) said Ramkarin's death has saddened both Narra and the community as his loss was a loss to active citizenry.
Sewrathan said the bridge will be remembered as his cousin's legacy.
Ramkarin is survived by two daughters and a son.