With a farewell that brought many to tears, Darius Jerrybandhan, son of murdered Hindu palm reader Mahadeo Jerrybandhan, promised to stick to his father’s beliefs and refrain from trying to avenge his death. Darius delivered the eulogy at his father’s funeral, which was held at his family’s Cooper Street, San Fernando, home, in the same house where his father, a US citizen, was shot dead last Monday.
“I will work to be the man you have always wanted me to be and as much as I would like to repay the person that committed this violent act with some violence, my dad always said only that which was supposed to happen to any human being that came to earth, only that will ever happen... “So I have to hesitate now with the rage and try to understand what you were saying. It might take a while but I will try.”
Family members wore white and danced in the street to the sound of the tassa drums as they celebrated Jerrybandhan’s life. Darius said he had a rocky relationship with his father and had done many things of which his father would not have approved. “You had a strong personality. You guided me and wanted me to do things your way. I guess I was a bit like you and always did things my way,” he said.
“I have always known you would be there for me and take care of me when I needed you. I have not said it before and I regret that, but I want you to know that I am forever grateful for the things you have done for me. “I am now scared that you can’t take care of me like you have done all of my life. How do I go on without you? I will carry on and now take care of my family as I know you would want me to do.”
Speaking at the funeral, San Fernando Mayor Kazim Hosein said Jerrybandhan’s murder was an unguarded moment in the city. “San Fernando is generally a safe city and the police have things under control. This was an unguarded moment. It is sad and unfortunate,” he said.
