Days after completing a 41-day fast for his youngest son, who has been in a coma since last month, a well-known Newlands West businessman and musician died after being electrocuted.
Ajith Rambarath, 56, who owned a refrigeration company, had been building a cold room at a bakery in Glen Anil when tragedy struck on Sunday, January 24.
His older son Shiven said his father’s employees heard a loud bang that sounded like a fire cracker. “My dad screamed and then there was silence. The workers ran to his aid; they thought he was unconscious and tried to revive him. The owner of the bakery also stepped in to help. He tried to find my dad’s pulse but he was already dead.”
Shiven said the owner called for an ambulance and notified the family. “We were at a loss for words. We just saw him that morning and now he was gone. My family and I are in shock.”
Shiven said his father had just completed a 41 day fast for his younger brother, Triven, 21, who was in a coma in hospital after a motor vehicle accident on December 4.
“Triven was the apple of his eye and my dad was grooming him to take over the business. His condition left my dad and the rest of the family devastated. He went on the fast with my mum, Nerisha, with the hope of Triven recovering.”
Shiven described his father as a jovial person and a talented musician and vocalist.
“He belonged to the band Geeth Milan and played various instruments including the keyboard, bass and lead guitar as well the harmonium and tabla.”
Shiven and his older brother Diven were rallying around to support their mother, he said.
“This is a double blow for our family. We are not sure if Triven will wake up from the coma and now our pillar of strength is gone.”