The Canadian Bazaar
TORONTO: A gofundme for the Gujarati family that froze to death on January 19 while trying to enter the US illegally from Manitoba has crossed its target of US$70,000.
The fundraiser, which was launched on January 29 by Chicago-based Dilip Patel who is related to the victim family, has collected over US$78,000 so far.
With their relatives in India deciding not to bring back the bodies, the last rites of the four family members are likely to take place in Winnipeg. However, no decision has been taken yet.
The bodies of the four family members – identified after autopsies as Jagdish Patel, 39, his wife Vaishaliben Patel, 37, daughter Vihangi Patel, 11, and son Dharmik Patel, 3 – are currently lying in a morgue in Winnipeg.
Jaswant Patel, a cousin of the deceased man in their native village Dingucha near Ahmedabad, said that the family wants their last rites to take place in Canada.
“The bodies will not be brought here and the rites will be performed in Canada,” he said.
The Indian High Commission in Ottawa, which is in touch with the victims’ family in Gujarat, will take the final decision on the matter.
As the Gujarati community of Winnipeg awaits a decision onthe funeral rites, it held an online Shanti Path (prayers for the peace of the souls) for the victim family on Saturday.
“Over 60 people joined us. We prayed for the family. Our heritage minister, the local MP and the Mayor were among those who conveyed their condolences,” said organizer Bhadresh Bhatt of the Hindu Sabha of Manitoba.
Bhatt, who has been coordinating the Indian High Commission since the tragedy came to light, said mission officials are in touch with the relatives in Gujarat of the victim family.
“Since the victim family has no relatives and friends in Winnipeg, the Indian High Commission will finally take a decision on the funeral rites – whether they will be held in Winnipeg,” said Bhatt who is also a former president of the Gujarati Cultural Society of Manitoba.
Gujarati community activist Ash Patel said, “They (victim family) were one of our families and this tragedy happened here (in Manitoba). So it is duty to do Shanti Path for the departed souls. Their funeral rites will now most probably take place here in Winnipeg.”
There are about 3,000 Gujarati families in Manitoba, with most of them concentrated in Winnipeg and others residing in smaller cities such as Brandon.
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