Ashish Rajyaguru’s son, Bhishma Rajyaguru, bid his father a final “Happy birthday, Papa” over a brief phone call from over 11,000 kilometers away. The call left Ashish yearning for more time and a shorter distance between them. Bhishma, aged 22, tragically passed away on July 18 following a collision with Saskatchewan Roughrider Jayden Dalke, who was driving under the influence and in the wrong direction on a divided highway, as reported by the RCMP.
The sudden loss of Bhishma left Ashish and his family devastated, feeling like they had lost everything. Bhishma had come to Canada as a student in April 2022 and had not returned home since. Ashish vividly recalls their emotional goodbye at the airport, urging Bhishma to focus on his education and build a successful career abroad.
The family’s grief was further compounded by Bhishma’s untimely death a month before the Indian festival of Rakshabandhan, where siblings traditionally exchange tokens of love and respect. Bhishma’s sister, Hir Rajyaguru, had anticipated his physical presence for the celebration, but instead, she tied the customary bracelet to her brother’s wrist as he lay in a casket.
Hir described Bhishma as a source of laughter and joy, fondly reminiscing about his playful nature despite his teasing ways. The family struggled to come to terms with Bhishma’s passing, with Hir initially dismissing the news as unreal. Due to procedural delays, it took over two weeks for Bhishma’s body to be repatriated to India, leaving the family clinging to the hope that he would somehow awaken.
Bhishma’s friends remember him as a talented musician and a reliable confidant, always there when needed. As a percussionist in a Regina-based band, Bhishma had been eagerly anticipating performing at the Garba in the Park event, which was postponed as a mark of respect. Despite his absence, Hir finds solace in humming the tunes her brother once played, believing that his spirit lives on through his music and the joy he brought to others.
Hir remains determined to uphold Bhishma’s legacy of spreading laughter and positivity, comforting her grieving parents by reminding them of his wish for their happiness.