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  • 1 year ago
Speak up and say something. This was the message sent to all students who witness bullying.


It came from Pastor Josh Gajramsingh on Tuesday during the funeral service for 15-year-old Jayden Lalchan.


Alexander Bruzual has the story.
Transcript
00:00Jaden, a student of St. Stephen's College in Princestown, tragically took his own life
00:06last Wednesday.
00:07He was reportedly bullied and tormented by fellow students.
00:11Today, Pastor Gaj Ram Singh called on students, all present, and who were watching the service
00:17online, not to be silent.
00:20To all the students that are here, in this building, and to all the students looking
00:24on, don't be silent, speak up, say something.
00:34Gaj Ram Singh, who also told the congregation that he too suffered bullying in the final
00:39year of his studies, recalled that he knew Jaden and his family very well as they had
00:44been attending the iCare church services over the last year.
00:49As a result, he said it was hard not to take the news of Jaden's death personally.
00:55Like I said, I'm trying my absolute best not to make this thing personal.
00:59However, he wanted to ask a question to the individuals who would have bullied young Jaden.
01:06Was it worth it?
01:07I don't wish to face that young man.
01:11I don't.
01:14But I would ask him, and I'm sure that this will get to him.
01:17I would ask him, was it worth it?
01:20Bullying, was it worth it?
01:22Is this what you wanted?
01:24Like I said, I'm trying my absolute best not to make this thing personal.
01:28Despite his pain, and the pain he knew that young Jaden's family and friends were enduring,
01:33Pastor Gaj Ram Singh pleaded with the congregation and those listening to ensure that this incident
01:39is not repeated, and that Jaden's death was not just another statistic.
01:45Opposition leader Kamala Prasad Bisesar also spoke at the funeral service and reiterated
01:50calls for bullying to stop.
01:52She noted that despite the pain that persons may be feeling, young Jaden would not want
01:58anyone to seek revenge but justice.
02:02Jay was no bully.
02:04He would never want us to become bullies due to our anger.
02:09It may be difficult for us to accept this, but the best way to honour him is to not out
02:14ourselves become like those persons who bullied and tormented him.
02:20She said that Jaden, who was described as kind, loving, and a wonderful young man, ought
02:26to be a beacon of light to all those who are suffering similarly, and that the country
02:31must ensure that similar situations do not repeat themselves.
02:37And while I have a holy duty to bring comfort, I also have a professional duty and responsibility
02:44to ensure that Jaden and his friends and others, his schoolmates and other school children
02:50in our country, they must not suffer the same daily nightmare as Jaden.
02:56Let Jaden's life be a beacon to us as we go forward in protecting our children.
03:03And while she advocated for forgiveness, she said that justice must also be served.
03:09And this promise I say is not about retribution.
03:12I make it because Jaden's death shows us that bullying is destroying our children.
03:18And bullies must know that they will pay a heavy price for their wickedness.
03:23For their wickedness.
03:26Meanwhile the TTPS is questioning several individuals in relation to Jaden's death,
03:31including parents, teachers, and other witnesses.
03:35This was confirmed on Monday by Assistant Commissioner of Police Wayne Maisa, who said
03:40that under the Offences Against the Person Act, bullying is considered a criminal offence.
03:47Once the file is completed, it will be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
03:52for advice on the way forward.
03:54Alexander Brucewall, TV6 News.
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