Now, Prajwal's family has to fight for compensation

PUNE: After waiting 55 days for the body of their son Prajwal Sanjay Pujari (23), who died on September 17 in an accident on a ship at a port in Iraq, the Pujari family performed his last rites on Friday.
Prajwal was working for Dubai-based Salem Al Makrani Cargo Company and was deployed on Sandy III ship. He was killed when a heavy material reportedly fell on him.The family had to endure a long wait to get his body home due to non-compliance of the required documents at various levels, including consulate offices in Dubai and Iraq and also at the company where Prajwal was working. His body was finally brought to Pune on Friday.
The family is now looking forward to receive an accident insurance and a compensation from Prajwal's Dubai-based employer. The family hopes the central government would initiate steps in this regard.
"Prajwal lost his life in an accident when he was working on the ship. We hope the company releases the insurance and compensation amount to us", said Shankar, Prajwal's uncle.
"We will take forward the insurance and compensation issue with company officials in Dubai. Besides this, we will establish a communication with the ministry of external affairs, the Director General (DG) of Shipping in Mumbai and the Indian consulate in Dubai in regard to the insurance amount," said Shankar.
Prajwal's father Sanjay, who works in a canteen in Vadgaonsheri, said it will be hard to get back to normalcy. "It was his second journey with the company as a deck cadet. Prajwal's company was also happy with his work and they used to praise his efforts. If the company was happy with his services, it should initiate steps to release the insurance amount," said Sanjay.
Struggling to come to terms with the reality, Prajwal's mother Prafulla said, "I still cannot believe that my son is not around. Prajwal was very sincere in his work; and was putting all his efforts in earning money to make sure that our family gets out of financial problems. Prajwal always used to assure us that the family won't have to face money problems. He was happy with his job and was dreaming for higher posts so that he could earn a handsome salary. Why was he taken away from us, when he was doing a noble job of serving is parents."
Prajwal has a younger brother who is in class IX.