OTTAWA – The South Asian community in Canada’s capital is in mourning after the sudden death of one of its most prominent members.
Hunsdeep Rangar was the organizer of the city’s annual South Asian Fest and a champion for both the local community and Canada’s capital as a whole, reported CBC News.
His family said Rangar died from sudden heart failure in his sleep Friday at the age of 43.
“Hunsdeep was our main pillar in our South Asian community in Ottawa,” said friend Ajitpal Dhaliwal.
“He was always representing the 613 and always wanted to put Ottawa on the map.”
Friends also remembered Rangar Saturday as a husband, a father to a young daughter, a community organizer, a businessperson, a public servant, and a host with multicultural radio station CHIN 97.9 FM.
Dhaliwal, a DJ, first connected with Rangar through the local event and entertainment scene.
He said his friend always looked on the positive side of life and loved to bring people of all cultures together.
“If you needed anything done in the South Asian community in Ottawa, Hunsdeep would be that guy,” Dhaliwal said.
Friends close to Rangar’s family said they’re going through a tough time and that his death was shocking news.
Anuj Joshi met Rangar at Carleton University and knew him for close to 20 years.
They also worked together on community radio show Mirch Masala Radio. Joshi said he and Rangar were planning to get together this week to watch the NBA finals between the Toronto Raptors and the Golden State Warriors.
“I feel like I kind of lost an older brother. It hits home,” said Joshi.
