By Gurbir Singh
Shoreline search and another aerial search of the area continued today for the 26-year-old, Gurwinder Singh Dandian who has been missing since Tuesday, March 5.
His friends and family are praying, and hoping for his safe return, though with the passage of time, hope is gradually fading away.
“Please come back” wrote Rahul Dhanju on his Facebook page, while Gurwinder’s nephew, Pargat Dandian made a tearful appeal, “Miss uu chacha g jithe v o vapis ajo…” (“Miss you,uncle, wherever you are, please come back”).
Gurwinder left work even before his shift finished on Tuesday at Pizza Hut, and was reported missing by friends shortly before 9pm on Tuesday.
His car and personal belongings were later discovered at Cape Palliser (the southernmost point of the North Island), 106km south of where he works.
NewsViews today spoke to his friend and former co-worker, Davinder Brar in Auckland, who described Gurwinder as “cool” guy.
“We were working together in Pizza Hutt, Masterton and he is a decent, cool and funny guy,” Brar said.
When asked if he knew of any problems that Gurwinder might have been facing, Brar replied “I don’t think so he is facing (any issues) because he is on a managerial position over there and everything was well. He (has) been to India in November, where all his family is.”
Gurwinder belongs to a village near Channo, Patiala(India) and he came to New Zealand nearly five years back on a study visa to do a Business Studies course. He is currently reported to be on an employer-sponsored Work Visa.
As Gurwinder is not a swimmer, the police and his friends have grave concern for his safety. The police dive squad searched near Cape Palliser yesterday, and volunteers have also joined in the search.
“I’m really worried about him. I want him to come back safely,” Brar said, so does everyone else.
