Karnal: The body of a 24-year-old man from Balragadan village in Haryana’s Karnal district, who died in a road accident in the US, was brought back to India late Monday night. This morning, his body was transported from Delhi Airport to his ancestral village by ambulance.
When Gaurav’s body arrived home, both his mother and sister fainted. After the final viewing, the body was taken to the village cremation ground for last rites performed according to Hindu rituals.
Father performed the last rites with teary eyes
It was there that Gaurav’s father performed the final rites for his only son with teary eyes. Family members stated that the cost of bringing the body back to India exceeded ₹25 lakh. Two years ago, they had sent their son to the US after selling a plot of land and investing ₹50 lakh. The family had also appealed to the government and administration for help in bringing the body home. Gaurav’s body finally arrived today with the assistance of fellow villagers and Indians living in the US.
Gaurav had reached the US via the ‘Donkey route’ in six months
Ramphal, Gaurav’s father and a resident of Balragadan village, said that his son had gone to the US about two years ago to improve the family’s financial situation. “I had tried to stop him from going at the time, but he didn’t listen,” he said. Consequently, he sold a plot and a shop to send his son to the US. Gaurav had reached the US via the ‘Donkey route’ (an illegal migration route) over a period of six months.
Thirteen days ago, the family received a call informing them that Gaurav had died in a road accident in California. His truck had gone out of control and plunged into a gorge, killing him instantly.
His father mentioned that Gaurav had set out with his truck on May 26, prior to the accident. He stopped at a restaurant along the way for tea and called home to say he was driving the truck and would speak again later. That turned out to be his final conversation with his family.
Truck plunges into ravine after losing balance
According to the US police, he had driven only a short distance after leaving the restaurant when the truck suddenly lost its balance and plunged into a ravine. He died on the spot in the accident. On May 27, around 2:30 PM, the family received a call from the US police informing them of the accident and his death.
Gaurav’s father mentioned that Gaurav was the eldest and only son in the family; he also has a younger sister who is already married. “Now, only my wife and I are left in the family,” the father said. “Our world has been shattered. My wife and I are completely devastated by Gaurav’s death.”