THE Tiwarie family of the conglomerate, BK Group of Companies has moved to ensure that the grieving relatives of the four persons who perished by drowning during a ritual offering on Monday can provide a fitting funeral.

The wife and two daughters of Brian Tiwarie met yesterday with the relatives of the four persons, and following a brief discussion, they handed over an undisclosed sum of money to pay for funeral expenses and other financial obligations at this time.

The Tiwaries were joined in the venture by Pandit Deodat Dhangrajh of Essequibo, who also offered financial assistance on behalf of his family to the grieving relatives.

Speaking with the media yesterday at the BK’s Water Street Headquarters, Dhanwantie Persaud, who is the sister, aunt and grandmother of the four dead persons said that the money which was given by the two families will go a long way in easing the unexpected financial burden.
According to the woman, President Donald Ramotar also provided the family with some assistance. She recalled that the family first got the call from the Tiwaries on Wednesday morning, saying that they will be assisting them in this their hour of need.

She expressed the family’s deepest gratitude to the President, BK International, and the Pandit and his family for sharing their pain. The woman said that they would have received many calls since the tragedy from persons who indicated that they were going to assist them in the burial, but they have not yet come through with those promises.

Mrs. Persaud told the media that the family will be laying all four of their relatives to rest on Sunday, according to Hindu rites. Pandit Dhangrajh told reporters that he first received a call about the incident on Wednesday, and was immediately willing to give his support in keeping with his religious faith.
The Pandit said also that he came forward in order to encourage the relatives of the deceased to continue having faith in the Hindu religion.
Director of the BK Group of Companies, Briony Tiwarie told reporters that the entire initiative was the brainchild of her father, Mr Brain Tiwarie, who was totally shaken up and moved after reading the details surrounding the death of the four persons.

She said her family was cognisant of the fact that losing four family members at one go is not easy. Ms. Tiwarie said her staff visited the family on Wednesday and documented the things they had to do in preparation for the funerals before deciding what it was they wanted to do in terms of assistance .
On Monday, Billy Narine, 12, Annapina Persaud, 9, their aunt and cousin Radika Persaud, 53, and Ravin Persaud, 15, of Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo were all found in the Essequibo River hours after they went there to release offerings for a relative who had passed away.

(Photos by Leroy Smith)