We didn’t abandon missing Nepal pilgrims or families, says spiritual organisation

The Isha Africa Foundation has rejected claims that spiritual leader Sadhguru and the organisation have abandoned the families of a group who went missing after a devastating flash flood struck the Bhote Koshi River area in Rasuwa, Nepal . The flood left thousands dead and hundreds still missing.

Among those unaccounted for is Terricia Govender from Isipingo Beach in KwaZulu-Natal. Govender was with about 75 other devotees from across the world including the US, Canada, Australia, Britain, Germany and France, on the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra — an intensive 13- to 14-day international pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar via Tibet and Nepal.

The group was at the Gyirong immigration centre at the border after the trip to Mount Kailash when massive landslides and flash floods hit the area.

Dramatic footage shows a torrent of water hitting the mountainous region, submerging villages and wiping out bridges, roads and buildings.

The disaster has killed more than 1,300 people across Nepal while thousands remain unaccounted for as rescue operations continue.

Two Ladysmith couples — Surendranath Maharaj, 74, and his wife, Anitha Devi Maharaj, 67, and Vivaganathan Pillay, 66, and Janet Pillay, 56 — are also missing. Bavika Ramjee, 43, from KuGompo City in the Eastern Cape, who was travelling with Kailash Journeys, is the sixth person missing.

The tragedy struck days after Govender embarked on the pilgrimage to celebrate her 33rd birthday . A video of her joy at being blessed by her mentor Sadhguru on the special occasion was posted on the organisation’s Facebook page days before the disaster.

However, scores of people have criticised the organisation and its spiritual head for his absence on the ground.

Among them is Linda Govender, Terricia’s mother who together with her brother Nadrajan and daughter’s friend Sashin Maharaj left for Nepal on September 10 in search of her daughter.

She said the organisation’s focus seemed to be only on promoting their interests and not directed at families desperately searching for their loved one.

But the Isha Africa Foundation told Sunday Times that since the crisis began, their entire focus has been on supporting the families of the 80 pilgrims and volunteers missing from our group.

“For all of the families, it has been an unimaginable situation. Having to wait for information is agonising, and as no trace of the group has been found, closure remains a devastating challenge. We share in their pain. We have been very close to many in the missing group for many years, including our lost volunteers. They were all like family to us.

“Every affected family has had a dedicated Isha Foundation volunteer in close contact with them since the floods began, reaching out to them regularly with any updates we have received, and are available to speak to them at any time — day or night —for any questions they may have.

“We have also operated a 24/7 hotline for anyone else connected to those missing who have questions. Where families have found it supportive, our volunteers have visited them in person and been with them.