Devotee dies after rushing to collapsed building despite health struggles

AN OXYGEN-dependent man with severe heart problems died of a heart attack while climbing to help at the collapsed building at the River Range Ranch in Verulam.

Despite his family's concerns, Ajit Manilall's devotion to the temple and desire to help others drove him to make the ultimate sacrifice, collapsing at the foot of the sacred chakra statue outside the temple.

Despite his poor health, Manilall, 62, a retired businessman and temple devotee, insisted on going to the scene to see if he could assist in any way.

His daughter, Aishwaria Manilall, 28, an attorney and member of the temple’s management committee, fought back tears as she recalled her father’s final hours.

She described him as a man whose instinct was always to serve, no matter the cost.

“No matter what he was going through, he always wanted to help others. He was the most selfless person I knew.”

Aishwaria said she had received a call about building collapse at around 1pm on Friday and rushed from work straight to the scene.

“My dad wanted to come at that time to help, but because of his health condition, we told him not to. He was oxygen-dependent and the heat was intense. But he insisted,” she said.

Manilall’s heart had been functioning at just 17 percent since 2016, following two massive heart attacks and the insertion of two stents.

At home, he relied on two oxygen tanks to get through daily life.

“He loved that temple and kept phoning my mum, Jenny, to say he wanted to go to the site. The two of them came at around 18:30 when it was cooler. They had brought food for my uncle, Dayanand Jankipershad, a paramedic and his team who were at the scene,” she said.

She said normally her father needed help climbing up the steep steps to the temple.

“However, on that day he went ahead on his own. My mom and I looked for him. Eventually someone told us he was already on top of the hill, in front of the chakra. He had collapsed halfway. He had a massive heart attack,” said Aishwaria.

She said the paramedics tried to resuscitate her father for almost 30 minutes.

“They worked on my dad for so long but was declared dead just after 8pm.”

Aishwaria paid tribute to Helena Panday who “never left our side”.

“Helena’s husband Vic Panday was among those trapped at the time. She did not know the fate of her husband yet she stayed with me until well after 10pm when the undertaker took my dad’s body away. I will always be grateful to her for her compassion and support,” said Aishwaria.

Manilall’s wife, Jenny, 54, said when she saw her husband lying on the floor she began chanting.

“We did not expect to lose him. He has been through so much before. He has fallen unconscious before, but that never stopped him from living his life and taking care of us.”

She also spoke of his long-standing commitment to charity.

“During COVID-19, we would collect food from the temple and distribute it in Phoenix. He always wanted to help everyone he could. Ajit died exactly as he lived, selflessly, in service, and with faith. He passed away wanting to do something good and that is the man he was,” said Jenny. 

The POST