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This is an archive article published on December 17, 2024
He was my only support…God’s been unfair: Moga man loses son in Georgia tragedy
Gagandeep, who lost his life in the carbon monoxide poisoning, is survived by his father, who lost his wife due to health issues around six years ago as well his youngest son who was mentally unwell.
Gagandeep's(left) father Gurmukh Singh(right), who is now left to live alone after his son's demise. (Photo: Special arrangement/ExpressPhoto)
Sitting at his one-room house in Ghal Kalan village of Moga in Punjab, Gurmukh Singh, 50, mourns the tragic passing of his 24-year-old son Gagandeep Singh, one among 12 persons who died in suspected gas poisoning at a restaurant in Georgia’s mountain resort of Gudauri.
Of the 12 dead, 11 were Indian nationals, the Indian mission had said on Monday. Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs had said the initial inspection found no signs of injury or violence. All victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning, local media reported, citing police.
Gurmukh had last spoken to his son on December 12. Gagandeep often used to show him snow-clad Georgian peaks on video call. “Oh bas kehenda si, daddy ethe baraf he baraf hai (He used to say that it’s all snow here),” says Gurmukh Singh, who had lost his wife and another son some years ago. “Bas mera ikko sahaara si eh… baala dhakka kitta rabb ne mere naal (He was my only support. God has been really unfair to me),” he says.
Grieving villagers at Ghal Kalan village of Moga in Punjab. (Express Photo)
Gagandeep’s mother had died due to health issues around six years ago as did his younger brother who was mentally unwell. “My eldest son lives separately with his wife. I am the only one left to grieve my young son’s death,” says Gurmukh, sitting in his one-room house with a dilapidated roof.
Gurmukh, who works as a labourer, had taken a loan of Rs 5 lakh to send Gagandeep to Georgia. Earlier, Gagandeep also spent two years in Dubai where he washed and serviced cars, says his father. “When he said he wanted to go to Georgia for this job at a restaurant, I took Rs 5 lakh on loan from some friends and sent him. I could not say no to him,” says Gurmukh, who doesn’t own any land.
On Tuesday, he submitted a letter to Moga deputy commissioner requesting for help in bringing his son’s body home for last rites, adding that he doesn’t have enough money to bear expenses for logistics etc.
Gagandeep had gone to Georgia around four months back. “We used to speak every 3-4 days as he knew I was alone. Gagan was my only support,” says Gurmukh.
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“I had tried to call him again after the December 12 conversation but his phone was switched off. I have no idea what happened there. I only got to know through the media that my son is no more,” he adds.
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