Tragedy has cast a pall over the tight-knit community of Nauli village in Adampur, Punjab, as they grapple with the sudden demise of a promising young man who had embarked on a journey to Canada in pursuit of a brighter future. Gagandeep, fondly known as Guggu, passed away mysteriously just four days after his departure, leaving his family in shock and despair.
Gagandeep’s mother, Seema, shared the heartbreaking details of their last conversation with her son. “My son had left from Amritsar airport, boarding a flight to Toronto on September 6. On September 10, we had a video call with him at 9:30 pm (IST). It was still morning there, and he said he had just had a meal but was feeling sleepy. It was at 2:30 am on Monday that we received the devastating call informing us of his passing. We were all in for a big shock,” she recounted.
The circumstances surrounding Gagandeep’s untimely death remain unclear. The young man was married, and his wife had already relocated to Canada on a student visa. Mohan Lal, the victim’s father, shared the financial burden the family now faces. “I had taken a loan of Rs 30 lakh to send my son and daughter-in-law to Canada, and I am now unable to afford the 20,000 Canadian dollars needed to repatriate his body.”
Gagandeep’s family remains baffled by the sudden tragedy. “The loss of our son has not only devastated us but has also left us with many unanswered questions. How could such a healthy youth pass away so suddenly? We anxiously await the results of his postmortem report,” said Sohan Lal, Gagandeep’s relative.
Desperate for assistance, the family has reached out to the state government for help in bringing back their son’s remains. Struggling under the weight of their significant debt, they hope for a compassionate resolution. In the midst of their plight, the Punjabi community in Canada has rallied to support the grieving family, initiating efforts to raise funds to facilitate the repatriation of Gagandeep’s body so that they can bid a final farewell to their beloved son.
