The story of the tragic death of Indian man Parminder Singh Jabbal refuses to go away, continuing to stir many emotions – the latest being of a rare family reunion on the cards if the mother gets a chance to travel to New Zealand to meet his son’s partner and the newborn child.
The late 27-year-old Mr Jabbal was living in a relationship with a local Maori girl Saraiah Waerea in Rotorua, and the couple were expecting their first child together when the tragedy struck and took him away forever.
Originally from Ludhiana, Punjab, Mr Jabbal was in New Zealand on a work visa with his family back in India.
A lot of emotions were stirred at the time of Mr Jabbal’s death not only within their close families and friends but involving broader communities with – Mr Jabbal’s pregnant partner first seeking to keep his remains in the country – a situation that has since diffused and turned into an opportunity of bringing two communities together.
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The example of how a once tense situation has turned around into a situation of unconditional love, support and feeling of mutual care was abundantly displayed in a small ceremony in Rotorua on Friday, September 7.
The occasion was of Kharag Singh – a local businessman and member of Kiwi-Indian community who has been in the thick of assisting Ms Waerea and Mr Jabbal’s family in India – returning back to Rotorua one more time with surprise gifts to assist the painstaking restart of her life.
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Kharag Singh, popularly known as Sidhu Singh brought a van full of household furniture and a second-hand car to gift Ms Waerea for restarting a new life with her yet to be born baby.
It was on this occasion that The Indian Weekender was told that the otherwise tense and awkward interactions between Mr Jabbal’s partner and mum have transcended into an emotion of mutual appreciation with Mr Jabbal’s mum expressing a desire to travel to NZ to meet her son’s baby and the partner.
Speaking to The Indian Weekender, Mr Singh said, “I have brought the message of Parminder’s mother to Saraya that she would love to come and visit her and see her grandkid.
“I am really pleased that Saraya has received the message with great enthusiasm and open heart.
Reflecting on these emotions, Ms Waerea told The Indian Weekender, “I earnestly look forward to host and see Parminder’s mother when Jr Parminder arrives.
“I am happy to do everything in my control to facilitate Parminder’s mum’s visit and see her grandkid.”
Gifts to Ms Awerea a token of love and care from Indian community
Meanwhile, explaining the decision to come back to Ms Waerea with gifts of household furniture and car, Mr Singh said reluctantly, “I just want to genuinely help Ms Waerea and her child restart new life after Parminder.
“This is a promise I have made to myself during the painful process of helping these two families in this difficult times.
“I sincerely believe that not only families on both sides but also our respective communities (Indian and Maori) will find one more reason to come together,” Mr Singh said.
Echoing similar views Ms Waerea and her mum was almost speechless when The Indian Weekender first asked them about how they felt about the gesture.
“I am speechless and overwhelmed,” Ms Waerea said.
Timeline of events
July 11
Mr Jabbal dies in a road accident on the early morning of Wednesday, July 11 between Rotorua and Taupo.
July 15
Call for fundraising to bear the financial cost of Mr Jabbal’s repatriation. However, by then, Ms Waerea had expressed her first thoughts of keeping the remains of Mr Jabbal in the country causing concerns and confusion around.
July 20
The coroner agrees to release the body of Mr Jabbal to Kharag Singh, who despite being unrelated to the deceased took the responsibility of being local guardian, on the condition that Mr Singh will give access to Ms Waerea and her family in Rotorua to allow her to give her last goodbyes before he could be repatriated back to his family in India.
This decision, despite bringing an additional cost on repatriation, was the best possible and amicable outcome to this unfortunate situation.
July 25
Mr Jabbal finally repatriated back home on the late night of Wednesday, July 25, and reached India on Thursday, July 26 at 3 p.m. local time.
July 27
Funeral performed at a local village in Punjab.
August 15
The last remains of Mr Jabbal arrive back in New Zealand and given to his partner Ms Waerea, bringing an emotional reunion.
September 7
Mr Singh again goes to Rotorua to deliver household gifts and a car to Ms Waerea to help her and on-the-way child to have a reasonably decent start in life.
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