BRISBANE – A day after the gruesome murder of Punjabi-origin bus driver Manmeet Alisher (29) in Australia, the Punjabi community settled in Brisbane today announced the formation of “Manmeet Alisher Memorial Foundation Trust” was announced. The trust’s immediate work will be to make arrangements for bringing Manmeet’s body to India.
The decision was taken during a gathering of Australian and Punjabi community members at the Sikh Temple, Brisbane. The community also announced that it will soon publish a collection of his writings and release a DVD of his stage performances during his seven-year stay in Australia.
“Apart from pursuing legal proceedings related to the incident, the trust will continue to work in service of the Punjabi community settled in Brisbane,” Manjeet Boparai, community member, told media. The gathering was organised to observe “ardaas” in remembering Manmeet, who was burnt to death when a man poured flammable liquid on him while he was driving a bus yesterday.
“Manmeet was an excellent poet, singer and theatre artiste. He would present his poems and songs in every ‘kavi darbar’ organised by Punjabi literati in Brisbane every month. He performed in every Punjabi cultural event organised in Brisbane in the past six-seven years. The collection of his writings and the DVD would be the real tribute to him,” said Boparai.
On bringing Manmeet’s body to India, he stated that after the autopsy on Monday evening, it was expected to reach India by Friday.
‘Black Armband Day’ tomorrow
Transport workers of South Australia have given a call to organise “Black Armband Day” on October 31. The Transport Workers’ Union said,
“The bus drivers across South Australia will wear black armbands on Monday to remember Manmeet.”
Manmeet’s friend and Brisbane-based poet Sarbjit Sohi said many drivers in the city wore black armbands on Saturday too. Meanwhile, Punjabis settled in Brisbane have cancelled all Diwali events.