Punjab youth dies in US after battling cancer; family seeks Govt support
– Family had sent son abroad via illegal route by paying Rs 40 lakh; mourning grips Sultanpur Lodhi village
Babushahi Bureau
Sultanpur Lodhi (Kapurthala), April 18, 2025 – In a tragic incident, a young man from Bhaini Hussain Khan village in Sultanpur Lodhi, who had traveled to the United States two years ago through illegal immigration channels, has passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer.
The deceased, Vinod Singh, had set out for the U.S. with dreams of a better future. His family, desperate to secure his success, reportedly borrowed and spent nearly Rs 40 lakh to send him abroad via the so-called "donkey route" — a term used for perilous and unauthorized immigration involving long overland and sea journeys.
According to Vinod’s family, his journey took nearly seven months, during which he navigated forests and crossed international borders by foot and canoe. Sadly, just a month after arriving in the U.S., Vinod was diagnosed with a serious form of cancer.
Despite the support of friends who pooled resources for his treatment, he eventually succumbed to the illness.The news of his death has cast a shadow of grief over the entire village. His parents, especially his mother, remain devastated and continue to wait for their son, hoping for closure.
Speaking to the media, Vinod’s father shared the emotional and financial toll the ordeal has taken on the family. “We sent him with so much hope. Now we are left with sorrow and debt,” he said.
The family has appealed to the Punjab government for financial assistance, citing the heavy loans they took and the expenses incurred during Vinod’s treatment abroad. They hope the government will step forward to support them in this time of hardship.
This incident once again highlights the risks many youth from Punjab undertake in search of better opportunities abroad, often falling prey to illegal immigration networks and facing unforeseen challenges far from home.