For over a hundred days, a deafening silence has engulfed the home of Charanjeet Singh in Ludhiana's Daba village. His family lives in a state of perpetual fear, having lost all contact with his 21-year-old son, Samarjeet Singh, who was last seen wearing a Russian army uniform.
A Dream for Education Turns into a Nightmare
Samarjeet Singh, a resident of Mohalla Amarpuri, had embarked on a journey to Russia with high hopes. After completing his Class XII and a diploma as an X-ray technician, he secured a study visa. His plan was to learn the Russian language through a three-month course before enrolling for a degree at a Russian college, aiming to build a brighter future.
However, the family's dreams were shattered when they discovered their son had been landed in a situation involving the Russian army. "He went there for a better life, seeking employment and a new degree, but now he is caught in an ongoing war-like situation, which he never signed up for," the distressed family stated.
A Father's Desperate Plea and Government Apathy
The emotional toll on the family is immense. "We are hurt by the long wait and delay," said Charanjeet Singh. "Whenever anybody asks about my son's condition, I get emotional... We are not even sure now whether he is dead or alive or where he is."
The family has exhausted all avenues for help. They have contacted MLAs, MPs, and ministers, sharing documents and details, but claim to have received no concrete assistance or response. "Everyone takes details, but never turns up for any help," lamented the father.
Financial constraints have made the situation even more dire. Having taken a loan to send Samarjeet abroad, the family cannot afford to travel to Russia to search for him themselves.
Mounting Anxiety and a Broader Crisis
With each passing day, stress and anxiety grow. The family finds it difficult to sleep, haunted by the absence of news. Their fear is compounded by reports of deaths of other Indians who went to Russia around the same time as their son.
In their search for answers, they have connected with other families from various Indian districts and states facing similar horrors. This points to a larger, troubling pattern.
As a last resort, the family has decided to approach the Parliament in New Delhi to seek intervention, hoping the authorities will act before it is too late.
A Stark Warning for Indian Students Abroad
This heartbreaking case highlights the severe risks Indian students can face in foreign conflict zones. Political tensions can directly threaten the safety of international students who travel abroad for education and career opportunities, sometimes leading to unforeseen and dangerous circumstances.
The Singh family's ordeal is a plea for a robust system to protect its citizens abroad and a cautionary tale for students aspiring to study in regions of geopolitical instability.
