Riyadh: Mortal remains of Cuddalore worker brought home from Saudi Arabia
The mortal remains of Mani Karuppaiah from Edachithur in Cuddalore district, who passed away in Saudi Arabia on November 20, 2025, were flown to Tamil Nadu and reached his hometown on Tuesday.
Mani, who worked as a general worker in a marble factory in Riyadh, suffered a severe brain hemorrhage during duty hours in August 2024 and slipped into a coma. He was first treated at Shemaishi Hospital in Riyadh and later shifted to Ruwaydah Al-Ardh General Hospital, about 230 km from the capital, where he remained under treatment for more than seven months until his death.
After completing all legal and administrative procedures, the body was sent from King Khalid International Airport on December 8 at 10.35 pm via Sri Lanka on Colombian Airlines. It arrived at Tiruchirapalli International Airport at 9.15 am on December 9. His nephew Raja Duraisamy received the remains, which were taken by ambulance to Edachithur. The last rites were performed at 3 pm.
Riyadh-based pro-bono lawyer and social worker Adv. P. A. Hameed Padubidri coordinated the documentation process in liaison with the Indian Embassy. He had been following the case since Mani was admitted to hospital in August 2024. Efforts to shift Mani to India for treatment could not materialise due to legal hurdles.
Members of the Tamil community in Riyadh, including Rahim Suraj and colleagues of the deceased, Kumar Guru and Gughanathan Nagappan, also assisted in the process.
The family has thanked Adv. Hameed, the Tamil community members and the Indian Embassy for their support.
Mani is survived by his mother K. Vennila, wife Sanjalam, daughters Priya and Kaviyarasi, son Ponnarasan and other relatives. He had been employed in Riyadh for more than ten years.
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Former India hockey coach Michael Nobbs dies
Melbourne (PTI): Former Australian hockey player Michael Nobbs, who coached the Indian men's team at the 2012 London Olympics, has died after a prolonged illness.
He was 72 years old and is survived by his wife Lee Capes, a former Australian women's international and daughter Kaitlin, who is a current Hockeyroos star.
"Hockey Australia extends its deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends, former teammates, players and all those whose lives and careers were shaped by his contribution to hockey. He will be remembered as a proud Kookaburra, a respected professional, and a servant of the sport," Hockey Australia said in a statement.
Nobbs represented Australia as a defender, playing across the half-back line and at fullback, and was renowned for his reliability, fitness and professionalism. He earned 76 international caps for Australia between 1979 and 1985, scoring one goal, and was a member of one of the strongest eras in Australian men’s hockey, said Hockey Australia on its website in its tribute.
Nobbs was an integral part of the Australian teams that competed at the 1981 Hockey World Cup in Bombay and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
While part of a generation widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest, he consistently held his place through hard work, discipline and trust earned from teammates and coaches, Hockey Australia wrote.
Nobbs took over the coaching of the Indian men's team in 2011 after it had failed to qualify for the Beijing Games in 2008. While India were brilliant in the qualifiers, the team finished last at the London extravaganza which also expedited the Australian coach's sacking.
Apart from India, Nobbs also coached Japan.
