HUNDREDS yesterday bid farewell to Vimala Balgobin, former Project Coordinator for the Rural Enterprise and Agricultural Development Project at the Ministry of Agriculture, who was cremated at Good Hope Crematorium.This followed a funeral service according to Hindu rites at her Lot 104 Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara home.

Among those in attendance at the residence of Balgobin, who was killed in an accident on March 8, 2015 in Lethem was President Donald Ramotar, several Ministers, staffers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Finance, and many other government officials.

The funeral service yesterday was a very emotional one as religious songs and prayers punctuated the ceremony in a very crowded atmosphere where almost everyone present wanted to get a glimpse of Balgobin.

She was dressed in traditional Indian wear of yellow with matching jewels and was placed in a white coffin adorned with wreaths and fresh roses and looked as though she was in a very deep sleep yesterday.

Her family members were overwhelmed with grief as they cried openly while others hid their tears under sunglasses and handkerchiefs.

Balgobin died while her husband was seriously injured in the accident at Pirara Bridge, Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo) on March 8, 2015.

At the time, they were returning home from Lethem where Balgobin went to do some work when tragedy struck.

Her husband was at the wheel when the vehicle reportedly skidded off the bridge and crashed several feet below.

Balgobin’s husband was air-dashed to the city late that afternoon while she succumbed to severe injuries.

She was a former Bishops’ High School student and is also the daughter of Tarachand Balgobin of the Ministry of Finance.

It was reported that the couple were returning to Lethem following a trip to North Rupununi around midday on March 8, 2015 when the vehicle toppled and ended up in the Pirara Creek.

Balgobin, who is also a member of the Guyana Marketing Corporation’s Board of Directors, was conducting training on women’s empowerment in remote locations.