Dubai/Sharjah: Several Indian expats, including diplomats and members of various cycling groups, paid tribute to a biker who had worked for the Attestation Services of the Indian Consulate in Dubai for several years.
Japin Jayaprakash died in a motorcycle accident while on a weekend bike ride in Sharjah’s Kalba area, according to his friends and former colleagues.
Sharjah Police said the 37-year-old Indian was killed instantly after his motorbike hit a concrete barrier in the road.
The police operations room received a call at 7.50am on Saturday reporting the accident on the Sharjah-Kalba road.
Police patrols and an ambulance rushed to the scene of the accident and the victim was taken to hospital.
Police investigations revealed that the deceased lost control of his motorbike and crashed into the concrete barrier, causing his death.
Police have urged motorists to be extra careful on the road, especially on bends.
Apart from being known as a professional rider, who participated in several riding and racing events, Japin was popular among community members due to his work in several outsourced agencies which provided the attestation services for the Indian mission over the years.
Japin Jayaprakash was due to open his new business in a few days
Image Credit: Supplied
“He was brilliant and worked hard”
Jassim Muhammad, Chairman of Indian Social Center Ajman, who previously worked for the Indian Consulate Attestation Services in Dubai, recalls hiring Japin into his team in 2009.
“He was one of the brightest members of my team and a hard worker. He was in my team until 2013, when the contract was given to another company. He was among the staff who joined the new company and continued the service. He had become the operations manager and continued to work there until last year. He had also briefly worked for the company providing passport services. But, lately, he was preparing to launch his own startup in documentation-related services,” Muhammad said.
He added that Japin last spoke to him on Friday about his new venture. “I still can’t believe he’s gone. This is a great tragedy not only for his family, but for all who knew him… He was [passionate] on the bike. He used to post photos and videos of his bikes and riding events on his vlog.
“We will miss him”
Anish Chaudhury, supervisor of Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra, a help center under the Indian consulate, said he also worked with Japin earlier.
“He was a very good, generous person. He was also part of the consulate cricket team. Everyone was shocked to learn of his death. I get messages from many consuls, who had worked with him, from different parts of the world. He will be greatly missed. I am very sad for his family. He and his wife were blessed with a second son just five months ago,” Chaudhury added.
A vice consul, who had worked with Japin, said: “It’s a big shock. Japin was a friendly and positive person who was always helpful and cheerful. He would diligently carry out all the work entrusted to him. He loved his family very much. It is a great loss for me as a friend and as a former colleague. He was such a nice guy that everyone who knew him will miss him. I pray for his soul and his family.
Repatriated family
Muhammad said friends and community volunteers helped Japin’s family complete the legal formalities to repatriate his remains to his hometown in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
Japin’s friend from school, Asif, said Japin’s family – his wife, homeopathic doctor Dr Anju, and two sons, Jeeva and Jaan – were repatriated on Sunday. “Two of our friends accompanied them.”
He said that Japin was to open his new business in a few days. “The bike he was riding at the time of the accident was also new. He had bought it only a few weeks ago.
He added that Japin, who was a member of different riding groups in Dubai, was preparing to compete in a major event in India. “We grew up together from school. We were very close friends and it’s a big loss for me,” Asif said.
Members of many running groups in the UAE and India have also paid tribute to Japin on social media.
