A two-year-old boy born in New Zealand to Punjabi parents has died after an accidental fall during a family visit to Punjab, India, leaving relatives and friends in deep shock.

The family arrived in Punjab on 11 October to visit their hometown when the tragedy occurred, according to close family friend Manjinder Singh Basi, who spoke to The Indian Weekender.

“Few days after the trip to Punjab, the child fell off from the bed accidentally while standing.”

The toddler was admitted to hospital, where he spent at least four days before passing away, Basi said.

The death came just two months after the boy celebrated his second birthday with his grandmother, who had been visiting from Punjab.

The family had been looking forward to several upcoming celebrations.

It is reported that the child’s grandparents had planned an Akhand Path Sahib next month, involving the continuous recitation of the Sikh holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, to mark his birthday.

His uncle was also expected to arrive from Italy after the birth of his own son, while the family had hoped to celebrate Lohri, the Punjabi harvest festival held in January.

“The family is going through a very difficult time,” Basi said.

“The family had just travelled to Punjab and it happened so suddenly. They are deeply saddened by the loss.”

According to Basi, the child’s father moved to New Zealand on a student visa and had been living there for 10 years. His wife joined him a few years later.

The child’s sudden death has left the family and wider circle of friends grieving a loss that came during what was meant to be a visit home filled with family reunions and celebrations.

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