Venkat Raman
Auckland, November 29, 2019
The body of Indian Newslink Founder and first Managing Director Ravin Lal was cremated with appropriate religious rites this afternoon in Auckland.
More than 200 people across various faiths and religious beliefs attended the funeral service held at Ann’s Funeral Home in the South Auckland suburb of Wiri.
Pundit Dhirendra Nath conducted the religious ceremony.
Mr Lal’s brother-in-law Arvind Singh was the narrator while Mr Lal’s son Ronan and this reporter were the speakers.
This Reporter worked with Mr Lal for 16 years as a Correspondent and then Editor (from 2001) before the Company was sold to the current owner- Managing Director and Publisher Jacob Mannothra, who was present at the funeral.
Mr Lal passed away at his Papakura home yesterday (Thursday, November 28, 2019).
He is survived by his wife Arin and their only son Ronan.
Mr Lal was well-known among the members of the Indian, Fijian, Maori, Pacifica, and European communities in New Zealand, Fiji and other parts of the world.
Condolences pouring
We have been receiving messages of condolence from Ministers, Members of Parliament, businesses and families since we posted the news of his death yesterday.
Mr Lal had his 70th Birthday on October 15, 2019.
Although he has been coping with an illness over the past few months, he remained a spirited conversationalist and a good friend.
Here is the remainder of our earlier post.
Man of integrity
A man known for his integrity, hard work and diligence, Ravin was a media veteran and held several positions of importance in the publishing industry in Fiji, United Kingdom, Ireland and other countries before migrating to New Zealand more than 30 years ago.
He established Indian Newslink on November 15, 1999 to carry the ‘Voice of the Community.’ He nurtured it with his experience and expertise and gave it character, strength and power of conviction. Indian Newslink owes its progress and popularity to his vision and direction.
He was of friendly disposition and had a very large circle of friends and admirers. His passion for Soccer drew him closer to many high-ranking players in New Zealand and Fiji and other countries where Fijian reside.
Indian Newslink conveys its deepest condolences to the bereaving family. We will do a detailed feature on him in due course.
