Family of fire victim, Rajesh Kumar, praise Malaysian students in Russia

The family of Rajesh Kumar, 25, who died last Saturday from injuries sustained in a fire in a hotel in Russia last April has praised Malaysian students there.

His father, Krishna Kumar, 52, said the Malaysian students in Russia were very helpful and even obtained the money to bring back his son's body home.

"The Malaysian students in Russia should be praised (because) it did not matter whether Malay, Chinese or Indian, they helped me...without them, I would not know what to do because I cannot speak Russian.

"They also collected the funds and gave them to me to use to bring back by son's body to Malaysia. What they did was extraordinary and I can only say 'thank you'," he said when met by Bernama at his home, here.

He said the spirit and attitude of the students mirrored the 1Malaysia concept.

"Once, I was at a nearby park (in Russia) when they came and gave moral support to me and my wife...they also took care of our meals.

"Every day, the students would send me and my wife (Kailas Venodrai, 47) to the hospital where my son was being treated. I pray that they will get excellent results in their coming examination," he said.

Krishna described his son's death as a big loss as Rajesh was a cheerful son who was loved by everyone.

Rajesh died at 12.10pm (local time) at Skifosovsky Hospital in Moscow, 46 days after being treated there, and his body was flown back to Malaysia today.

His remains are expected to arrive in Kota Baharu at 7am tomorrow before being taken to a temple in Tumpat for the funeral rites.