“Who will bear the expense of my children’s education now? How can I give them a bright future?” These were the only questions on the lips of Kanchan Kumari, the wife of Ravinder Kumar, a 45-year-old who tragically lost his life in a devastating gas leak last Friday night at an Indian restaurant in Georgia’s Gudauri area.
The loss is particularly heart-wrenching for his wife and their three children, who had not seen Kumar in over eight years. His youngest son, born after Kumar left for Dubai in 2017, had never even met him. During this long period of separation, Kumar worked tirelessly abroad, driven by the dream of securing a better future for his family back in India.
Kumar, originally from Abadi Kot Ram Das in Jalandhar, Punjab, left India eight years ago in search of a brighter future. Initially, he moved to Dubai spent five years there, but after falling victim to a fraudulent travel agent, he was burdened with significant debt, which prevented him from returning home. Determined to provide for his family, he later moved to Georgia, where he worked as a chef. Despite the physical distance, Kumar remained steadfast in supporting his family both financially and emotionally.
Tragically, his death came just hours after a phone call with his family. During a video call with Kanchan and their children, Kumar spoke about a powerful snowstorm and a power outage in his area. He promised to call again the next morning—a call that would never come. His sudden passing has left his wife and children devastated, struggling to cope with the loss of a man who worked tirelessly to ensure their well-being, even from thousands of miles away.
“My Papa had two phones, and he was sitting on a sofa while talking to us on Friday night. On the other phone, he was telling someone that a very strong snowstorm had hit the area, uprooting all the poles and causing a blackout,” said Harshita Pal (11), the eldest daughter of Ravinder Kumar.
“My Papa always said he would come to take us along, and my Mummy was trying to get our passports made,”added Harshita, who was just three years old when her father left
Kanchan also recounted her final conversation with her husband. “When we spoke on Friday, he sounded scared. The storm had caused a complete blackout in his area. He kept saying he would call me the next morning, but I never heard from him again,” she said.
“He wanted to visit us but he could not because of providing better future to our children. And I now face an uncertain future. Our three children, including a seven-year-old son whom Kumar never had the chance to meet in person, are left without any primary source of income. The children, who are currently enrolled in Kendriya Vidyalaya, face the prospect of losing their education without financial support. I am now alone, struggling to care for my children,” pleaded Kanchan, as she sought government assistance to ensure her children’s education continues.
“It seems my husband died soon after his call to us on Friday because he was found sitting in the same position the next morning. Eyewitnesses told me he was found dead with the phone still in his hand, sitting upright,” said Kanchan, adding that she wants his body to be brought back home so that his son can see his father physically one last time.
Neelam Kumari, Kanchan’s sister, spoke with deep emotion about the hardships the family has endured. “I have seen my sister struggle her entire life. When Ravinder was in India, he ran a kirana (grocery) shop and supported his entire joint family. But with the weight of his debts, he had no choice but to leave for Dubai, and later Georgia. He worked hard, but it was never easy,” she shared. Neelam also recalled how the family often went to bed hungry, a memory that still lingers in her mind.
“Not only should his body be brought back, but we also request that his family be looked after,” Neelam said. “Kanchan should be given a job to support her children, and their education should be taken care of. It’s the least the government can do after all the sacrifices Ravinder made for his family.”
Surjeet Kaur, Ravinder Kumar’s mother, was inconsolable.
People from the area have been thronging to their house, mourning the loss of a man who lived his life for his family. Now, they rally to support those he left behind.
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