Coronavirus: Indian woman loses husband in UAE, his employer offers her a job

Dubai - He had no pre-existing conditions and was admitted to a Dubai-based hospital once his condition worsened.

When Dubai-based Indian mom Suvarna Rahate lost her husband Rajendra to the Covid-19 coronavirus on April 26, the entire family's lives came crashing down.

The couple, along with their 17-year-old daughter, have been UAE residents for over seven years and according to Suvarna, nothing in the world had prepared them for this tragedy. "Everything happened so fast. He was fit and fine. and this happened. He was tested positive for Covid-19 on April 5, and within weeks he has left us," Suvarna told Khaleej Times.

According to his wife, Rajendra had no pre-existing conditions and was admitted to a Dubai-based hospital once his condition worsened. Rahate's wife and daughter were home quarantined as a safety measure.

"On the 26th evening, the doctor called to tell me that he has passed away. I still cannot believe he is not with us anymore. I keep thinking he will ring the bell and walk in any moment," said Suvarna. She added, "My husband was a very nice person, a very pure soul. He was a workaholic and was so caring.We have been married for 18 years, and all these years of memories I have with him are enough for me to go forward in life." Rajendra's mortal remains were cremated in the Hindu Crematorium in Dubai as per WHO guidelines.

Company comes to family's rescue

In a bid to support and stabilise the family's future, Rahate's employer, Dubai-based company Precision Plastic Products LLC, confirmed that they have decided to extend a job offer to Suvarna. A company of approximately 500 staff, Rajendra was a production manager at the 37-year-old firm, said David Swan, general manager of Precision Plastics.

"He (Rahate) has been with us since 2012 and was the production manager of the blow moulding department. Honestly, I am not saying it because of the circumstances, but he was one of our best guys. He was extremely capable and very valuable to us," Swan told Khaleej Times.

He added, "Though we have not specified the exact nature of Mrs Rahate's role with us, we a few vacancies in administrative departments. I believe she has spent some years in insurance, and based on what her capabilities and interests are, we would find her a role with us."

'Want to fulfil father's dreams'

Suvarna confirmed that her husband's company has been a huge support for the family as they have no other relatives here in the UAE. "I have been told that I will get the visa and a job from his company. We can move forward with this," she said.

Suvarna said her daughter is studying in Grade 12 at an Indian curriculum school in Dubai. Rahate shared a close bond with his daughter and she would share everything with her father. An M-Com graduate, Suvarna left her previous job to spend time with her daughter before she flew out for her higher studies.

"Her father's greatest dream was to send her abroad for her higher education. Though we are still recovering from the shock of losing him, I want to fulfil his dreams," said Suvarna.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai