A fundraiser initiated by Iraganaboyina Chandu’s friend Rajesh Gurram aims to raise $120,000 to cover repatriation expenses and funeral arrangements
Andhra student Iraganaboyina Chandu. (Uttarandhranow/X)
Iraganaboyina Chandu, a native of Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh, 26, who was allegedly struggling with stress caused by unemployment and financial pressure while living in the United States, died by suicide, according to reports.
Members of the Indian community in the US have started a fundraiser to raise $1,20,000 to bring Chandu’s body home.
Who was Iraganaboyina Chandu?
Chandu had recently completed his master’s from DePaul University in Chicago. He had done his BTech from CMR College of Engineering in Hyderabad. He had worked as a developer with Dell last year.
According to news reports, he had been looking for a job for the past several weeks.
Chandu was apparently worried about being a burden on his father, who works as a security guard, and had hoped to soon support his family after completing his studies.
The fundraiser
A fundraiser initiated by his friend Rajesh Gurram aims to cover repatriation expenses and funeral arrangements. In a message shared on the fundraising page, Rajesh described him as “a wonderful human being, generous, warm, and a pillar of support for his friends and younger brother”.
“The cost of international repatriation from the US to India-including funeral home services, legal permits, and transportation-is approximately $25,000. This is an expense his family simply cannot afford on their own,” the page read.
Funds over $25,000 will go to his parents to help them manage the debt that Chandu left behind.
“Chandu arrived in Chicago with big dreams, filled with hope and the same ambition held by so many international students. He was a wonderful human being – generous, warm, and a pillar of support for his friends and his younger brother. Tragically, the weight of the challenges he faced became too much to bear. His dreams were cut short, and his family in India is now left shattered by this unimaginable loss,” read the about section.
Plea for help from Aviation Minister
A social media user wrote to Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh. Taking note of the post, Lokesh expressed condolences and further requested Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to ensure “smooth and hassle-free transport of the mortal remains”.
Naidu said he has spoken to the social media user and is “coordinating with the concerned people to expedite the process.”
If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata)
Read More
