Jharkhand: Family receives mortal remains of yoga teacher Raja Kumar Verma killed in Vietnam accident
The mortal remains of yoga instructor Raja Kumar Verma, killed in a Vietnam road accident, have returned to Ranchi to a grieving family.
In a deeply somber moment for the city of Ranchi, the mortal remains of Raja Kumar Verma, a yoga instructor who lost his life in a tragic road accident in Vietnam, were brought home on Saturday. The grieving family received the body after a complex repatriation process that spanned across international borders.
A Tragic Accident in Da Lat
Raja Kumar Verma had been living in Vietnam for approximately two years, working as a yoga instructor at an academy in Da Lat. He was the primary financial pillar for his family back in Jharkhand. The tragedy unfolded on September 25 when Verma and his colleague, Vinay Kumar Rai—a fellow yoga instructor hailing from Jamshedpur—were traveling home after work.
According to reports, their two-wheeler skidded on a wet road and collided with a car. While Verma passed away at the scene, Rai fought for his life in a hospital for two days before succumbing to his injuries. The accident left two separate families in Jharkhand devastated and facing the daunting task of bringing their sons back from a foreign land.
Overcoming Financial and Logistical Hurdles
The repatriation of the bodies was not an easy feat. The families had initially expressed their inability to afford the massive costs involved, with estimates suggesting that bringing the mortal remains back to Ranchi would cost approximately Rs 20 lakh.
In a display of community spirit, friends of the deceased and members of the Indian diaspora in Vietnam pooled their resources to help cover the expenses. The successful return of the body was made possible through intensive coordination between several entities, including:
- The Jharkhand Government
- The Ministry of External Affairs
- The Indian Embassy
- Vietnamese Authorities
The remains were flown from Vietnam to Kolkata and were subsequently transported to Ranchi via ambulance.
A Poignant Arrival on Jitiya
The arrival of the body coincided with a particularly painful timing. JMM MP Mahua Maji, who visited the Verma residence to offer condolences, noted the heartbreaking irony of the date.
"The most poignant detail is that today is the day of 'Jitiya'—a festival where people pray for the well-being of their sons—yet on a day like this, the young man's body has arrived home," Maji remarked.Maji described Verma as a "promising and well-mannered young man" and noted that the entire neighborhood was mourning the loss of a boy who was highly regarded by all. She added that the loss was a "calamity of immense proportions" for the household.
Government Compensation Announced
To support the families during this period of intense grief, the Jharkhand government has stepped in with financial aid. The state has announced Rs 5 lakh in financial assistance for the next of kin of both deceased yoga instructors. Efforts are reportedly ongoing to ensure further compensation is provided to help the families cope with their sudden loss.