Friends, relatives and neighbours of two youths from Punjab’s Barnala and Amritsar districts who drowned in a canal in Canada on Sunday have launched fundraising campaigns both in Punjab and abroad to repatriate their bodies. A physical fund collection drive has started in Punjab, while friends in Canada have initiated an online fundraiser. So far, around Rs 2.5 lakh has been collected locally, and nearly 28,500 Canadian dollars have been raised abroad. Organisers aim to collect 40,000 Canadian dollars to cover repatriation expenses.
Victims Identified
The deceased were identified as Lovepreet Singh of Tapa Mandi, Barnala, and Yograj Singh of Butala village, Amritsar, both in their twenties. According to initial reports, Yograj accidentally fell into the Lachine Canal in Montreal shortly before midnight on Sunday. Lovepreet jumped in to rescue him but also drowned. Their bodies were recovered after a joint search by the Montreal Fire Department and the Canadian Coast Guard.
Community Support in Punjab
Balwinder Singh, a neighbour of Lovepreet’s family, said residents had united to support the bereaved family, which is facing financial hardship. “We have collected around Rs 2.5 lakh so far. The family survives on the pension of Lovepreet’s father, Balvir Singh, a retired CRPF personnel. We decided to contribute at least Rs 10,000 each,” he said. Another neighbour, Gurpreet Singh, added that several residents had made generous contributions. “Some of us gave Rs 20,000 each. The family sold nearly two acres of land to send their son and daughter to Canada. Now they are left with only their house and two buffaloes,” he said.
Background of the Victims
Lovepreet had gone to Canada about two-and-a-half years ago on a work permit and was employed as a truck driver in Montreal. His elder sister, Harpreet Kaur, is studying there. Balvir Singh earlier said he spent nearly Rs 29 lakh, raised by selling his land, to send both children abroad. Yograj was also working with Lovepreet in Montreal. The tragedy has left both families devastated, and the community is rallying to help bring the bodies back for last rites.
