There was hardly a dry eye yesterday as relatives, friends and the residents of the Chester Street, Debe community came out to pay their final respects during the funeral service of husband and wife Prakesh Sookbir and Michelle Ramdeen-Sookbir. The young couple, who had been married for four years and had one daughter, died when their vehicle ran off the SS Erin Road in Debe and crashed into an electricity pole early Wednesday morning. According to reports, Sookbir was driving a black Toyota pick up north along the road when upon reaching Ramai Trace, he attempted to overtake another car. He lost control of the van which slammed into the pole before hitting a concrete wall.
Yesterday, at the funeral service which was held at the family's home, Pundit Rajesh Rampersad Tewarie urged people to continuously examine their lives because life is short and precious. "We need to reflect on our lives and we have to be prepared." "Some people die very early while some people die late, but we all have to go," said Tewarie who confessed that it was the first time he ever had to perform funeral rites on such a young married couple. "Live your lives in moderation. You need to know when the time has come to limit yourselves in whatever your activities," he said.
Relative Corrina Ramdeo described Ramdeen-Sookbir as a soft spoken, sentimental person who never forgot anniversaries and other special activities in people's lives. She continued that Ramdeen-Sookbir who was well liked in the community, was very spiritual and enjoyed dancing, watching movies and listening to music. With tears in her eyes, Ragbir's aunt Christine Beharrylal described the couple as good parents who were inseparable. "They are still together in death. They were married together and they will depart together," she said.
