Jalandhar teenager’s death at walk-in oven shatters family’s Canada dream

The dream of a family hailing from Jalandhar to reunite in Canada after 16 years came crashing down with the dreadful death of Gursimran Kaur (19) in a walk-in oven at her workplace Walmart in Halifax on October 20.

Gursimran and her mother, Mandeep Kaur, had moved to Canada from Guru Nanak Nagar in Suranussi here about two years ago and both of them were Walmart employees.

Gursimran was just three when her father, Rajinder Singh, moved to the UK. Gursimran, who had since then been putting up with her paternal uncle, Gurvinder Singh, in Jalandhar before moving to Canada, was hopeful that her father would join them in Canada, where they would eventually all settle down.

“My brother returned from the UK after hearing about the tragedy and is in Delhi for getting his visa for Canada processed. Sadly, he will not be able to see her even one last time…,” said Gurvinder Singh in a choked voice.

Fondly holding a picture of the teen, Gurvinder Singh said, “I had taken care of the girl in my younger brother’s absence. Her mother had also moved to the UK. The girl used to lovingly call me “papa” and my wife “mumma”. She would often talk to her parents on the phone, but did not miss their physical presence as she had adjusted with us so well. Her mother returned in 2014 and gave birth to a boy.”

He said, “A perfectionist and full of intelligence, Gursimran passed her Class XI in 2022 after which she moved to Canada. She and her mother started working together in Walmart, not knowing what fate had in store for them.”

“We still do not know how it all happened. We are waiting for the Canadian police to complete their inquiry and share the details with us. We have full faith in their investigation. We are hopeful of getting justice,” said Gurvinder Singh, refusing to comment on whether there could be foul play behind the girl’s death.

On reports of a fundraiser of over Rs 1 crore for the family, he said, “We too have learnt about it online. We know nothing more. All we know is that we have lost our cute, little, dreamy girl and that our life shall not be the same without her.”

Awaiting details from Canadian cops

We are waiting for the Canadian police to complete their inquiry and share the details with us. We are hopeful of getting justice. — Gurvinder Singh, deceased’s uncle