Families and friends are mourning the loss of 34-year-old Shalvin Prakash, who tragically died in a car accident in Nasinu on Saturday.
Childhood friend Shimeon Sajiv Raj said they had been celebrating Diwali together at their Tuirara, Makoi residence just hours before the tragedy struck.
“It has been our tradition for the past 20 years to celebrate Diwali together,” he said.
“Shalvin was with his colleagues before returning home to join us.
“He left afterward and a few hours later we received a call from one of our friends who had seen Shalvin’s car involved in an accident.
“We were optimistic at first, thinking it was minor and that he would only be injured. But after seeing the scene of the crash and the condition of his car, we became really worried.”
Mr Raj said he was devasted when requested to identify Mr Prakash’s body.
“His parents and siblings are all in the USA, and he was always at home with us despite having a place of his own.
“He had just bought a car on Thursday; he told me it was a gift to himself for Diwali, purchased with his own money, and he was planning to build a garage.
“He was a kind, humble, and vibrant individual, and I will miss seeing his name appear on the screen of my phone, calling me five times a day just to have a good laugh.”
