15 Days Later, Gujarat Family Still Awaiting Daughter. 

A tragic story involving a young Indian student living in Canada left a family in Gujarat heartbroken and trying to get closure. A 22-year-old student from Gujarat’s Anand district, Vidhi Megha, was stabbed to death in broad daylight in Canada almost 15 days ago, but her family says they are still waiting for her body to be taken back to India for final rites. May 15: Vidhi Megha, a Borsad native of Gujarat, was attacked at St. Catharines in Niagara area of Canada. A knife was apparently stabbed her by an unnamed offender, a striking public event, the report states. She died from wounds that were so severe that it could not be helped by anyone nearby. Her father, Kalpeshbhai Megha, appealed to the Indian government and authorities to assist with bringing his daughter’s body home as soon as possible. 

The family, he said, simply wants to carry out her final rites in India and farewell her accordingly. “I only ask for fast restoration of my daughter’s body back to India to perform her last rites,” he said before ANI. The grieving family says they have not been given enough help or updates from their Canadian counterparts. Even after nearly 15 days, the family cannot see her body anymore, Vidhi’s aunt, Snehal, said. She spoke to frustration at officials for not communicating and cooperating. Vidhi’s relatives living in Canada, she said, are getting only updates via e-mail—which is not reassuring, and adds to the pressures on the family. Vidhi moved to Canada about three years ago to study for higher education and was also working part-time to make ends meet. 

Her father said that she had signed up on a three-year Business Management course, where she took part in a Personal Support Worker (PSW) honours course. “She sacrificed for her education and future. “She had dreams of building a successful career,” her father said emotionally. The tragic murder has shocked the Indian community in Canada and people living back home of Gujarat. Following the incident, local MLA Ramanbhai Solanki supposedly went to the family and assured them of having notified the Chief Minister’s Office and the Prime Minister’s Office regarding Vidhi’s family’s request and the need for the speedy return of Vidhi’s mortal remains. 

At the same time, Canadian police are investigating the murder. However, officials have yet to release information concerning the suspect or a potential motive for the attack. The case is now under continuing investigation by authorities and physical evidence is being gathered. The incident once again brought Indian students studying abroad into alarm over the safety of their surroundings. Thousands of Indian students leave for Canada annually and live elsewhere overseas in hopes of studying abroad. Such incidents cause fear and grief in families. Vidhi’s family sit in suffering disbelief and wait for some time until they can finally bring their daughter home.