Ashish Rajyaguru received his son Bhishma’s final birthday wish over a short phone call from thousands of kilometers away. The distance between them felt too vast as Ashish longed to extend the conversation.
Tragically, Bhishma, aged 22, lost his life on July 18 in a fatal collision with Saskatchewan Roughrider Jayden Dalke, who was under the influence of cannabis and alcohol while driving the wrong way on a divided highway, as per RCMP reports. Both Bhishma and Dalke perished in the crash.
The devastating news shattered Ashish and his family. Bhishma had traveled to Canada as a student in April 2022, and had not returned home since. The memory of bidding farewell to Bhishma at the airport, with a mix of concern and hope, remains vivid in Ashish’s mind.
A month before the Indian festival of Rakshabandhan, Bhishma’s life was cut short. Rakshabandhan celebrates the bond between siblings, where a sister traditionally ties a thread around her brother’s wrist symbolizing their love and respect. This year, Hir Rajyaguru, Bhishma’s 19-year-old sister, tied the bracelet to his wrist in his casket, a poignant moment marking their unbreakable bond.
Despite the immense loss, Bhishma’s friends remember him as a gifted musician and a dependable companion. He was a percussionist in a local band and had been eagerly anticipating performing at an upcoming event called Garba in the Park, which was postponed following his passing.
Hir fondly recalls her brother’s desire to spread joy and laughter, even in difficult times. She finds solace in humming the tunes he used to play, believing that Bhishma’s legacy lives on through the music he created and the happiness he brought to those around him.
