Two Indian citizens were murdered in Toronto, Canada in the last 6 days, which has created deep concern and sorrow in the Indian community. In the first incident, 30-year-old Indian woman Himanshi Khurana was killed, while in the second, 20-year-old Indian medical student Shivank Awasthi was shot dead.

Himanshi’s body was found inside a house

30-year-old Himanshi Khurana lived in Toronto and was a digital content creator on social media. According to Toronto Police, he was reported as a missing person at approximately 10:41 pm on December 19, 2025. The next day i.e. on December 20, 2025, at around 6:30 am, his body was found inside a house in the Strachan Avenue and Wellington Street West area. The police declared this death a case of murder and started investigation.

Toronto’s 40th murder in 2025

Police believe that this is a case of intimate partner violence (violence committed by a partner), because the victim and the suspect already knew each other. In the case, an arrest warrant has been issued across Canada charging 32-year-old Toronto resident Abdul Ghafoori with first-degree murder. Police are searching for him and seeking information from the public. This was Toronto’s 40th murder of 2025.

The Consulate General of India in Toronto expressed deep sorrow over this incident. A statement said, ‘We are deeply shocked and saddened by the murder of young Indian citizen Himanshi Khurana in Toronto. We express our deepest condolences to Himanshi’s family on her demise and are with them in this difficult time.

The Consulate is in touch with the family and is providing all possible help in coordination with Canadian authorities.

Shivank Awasthi shot dead

In the second incident, 20-year-old Indian student Shivank Awasthi was shot dead. He was pursuing his doctorate (PhD) in Life Sciences at the Scarborough Campus of the University of Toronto. The incident occurred on December 23, 2025, at approximately 3:34 pm in the area of ​​Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road, which is very close to the campus.

On receiving the information, the police reached the spot, where he was found shot dead, but he died on the spot. The attackers fled before the police arrived. The campus was put on lockdown during the investigation. Police released Shivank’s photo and sought help from the public. This was Toronto’s 41st murder of 2025.

The Consulate General of India issued a statement saying, ‘We express our deep sorrow over the tragic death of young Indian doctoral student Shivank Awasthi. The Consulate is in touch with Shivank’s family and is providing all necessary help in this difficult time, as well as coordinating with the local authorities.

Is there any connection between the two incidents?

Both incidents happened in Toronto, but police have found no link between them. Toronto Police has clearly stated that there is no connection between the two cases and these are separate incidents. Concern about security abroad has increased among Indian students and community. Police are investigating both the cases separately and have appealed to the public to contact immediately if they have any information.

Karwa Chauth 2025 Special: Karva Chauth fast will be observed on Friday, October 10, 2025. On this day, Chaturthi Tithi will start from 10:54 PM (9th October) and will continue till 08:18 PM on 10th October. Moonrise time in Delhi is 08:13 PM IST. For NRIs living abroad, the puja-muhurta and moonrise time will be different as per the local time. Let us know how women living on foreign soil can overcome this challenge.

How to overcome the challenge of seeing the moon abroad, know the astrological solution

The biggest difficulty of Karva Chauth in foreign countries is the time difference of moonrise. The Indian calendar is based on IST, whereas in foreign countries the Sun-Moon movement varies by 4–12 hours.

What do the scriptures say about Karva Chauth?

Good luck, Goddess in the body, Siddhaye of all desires. That is, Goddess Parvati is prayed to provide good luck, prosperity and life-balance. The glory of this fast is also found in Skandapuran and Naradpuran.

Yatra Yatra Chandrah Drishyate, Tatraiva Tasya Deshasya Samayah Dharmah. That is, the place from which the moon is visible is the religious time for ending the fast for that country. Therefore, NRI women should break their fast only after seeing the moonrise time of their city and should not compare it with Indian time or auspicious time.

Correct way of worship abroad (Step-by-Step NRI Guide)

Morning (Sergi time): Before local sunrise – 06:19 AM IST in India, approximately 05:55 AM EDT in New York.

Karva Chauth 2025 Puja Muhurat: After sunset and before moonrise

• India (Delhi): 05:57 PM – 07:11 PM IST
• London: 05:30 PM – 06:45 PM BST
• Dubai: 06:10 PM – 07:25 PM GST

Moonrise darshan on Karva Chauth

• Delhi – 08:13 PM IST
• London – 07:43 PM BST
• Dubai – 08:17 PM GST
• New York – 07:42 PM EDT
• Sydney – 11:52 PM AEST

After darshan of the moon, husband and wife can complete their fast by having darshan. Observing a fast while living abroad is emotionally difficult. Reasons: time difference, cold, office shift, or late appearance of the moon. But this experience itself gives depth to faith. Therefore, do not panic and complete this fast with full devotion.

What do women living abroad say?

“Here the moon rises after midnight, but we Indian women break the fast with lessons online on Zoom or Google Meet. The thrill of that moment cannot be expressed in words.”

Astrologer Pandit Suresh Shrimali says that Karva Chauth is not only a fast for the bond between husband and wife, but is also a practice of Chandra-Karmayoga. The woman who observes waterless fast with devotion, attracts the coolness of the Moon God in her life. Moon defect created in the horoscope is removed. According to him, the movement of the moon is the same in foreign countries too – hence a fast observed with devotion is equally fruitful everywhere.

Modern-Devotional Tips for NRI Women

1. Order puja material from Indian grocery stores or E Commerce Shopping Sites.
2. Karva Chauth puja and katha can be organized online by forming a group on Zoom or Google Meet.
3. If you are unable to observe a water fast due to health reasons, you can observe a symbolic fast with Ganga water and fruits.
4. You can know the address of Moonrise Time on Google according to your city.
5. Find out the mass worship schedule from your local temple or Indian association.

Karva Chauth fast is a symbol of Indian culture on foreign soil

Karva Chauth is not only a fast in foreign countries but also a cultural identity. When Indian women in Dubai, New York, Singapore, or London dress up and look at the moon through a filter, then that scene becomes the ambassador of India’s culture.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is based only on assumptions and information. It is important to mention here that ABPLive.com does not endorse or confirm any information. Before implementing any information or belief, consult the concerned expert.

Diaspora Remittans Hit New Record: You can understand how much the overseas Indians have contributed to India’s economy, where they have sent more money than FDI during the last financial year. Overseas Indians have set a record in sending money to their families. During the financial year 2024-45, Indian people living abroad have sent $ 135.46 billion, or about 1.16 lakh crore rupees to their families. So far, in any year, the biggest amount sent by the diaspora is.

Record of overseas Indians in sending money

Eight years ago, an amount of $ 61 billion was sent by the overseas Indian, but today this amount has increased more than double. That is, if we look at the annual basis, it has increased by about 16 percent. This figure shows the economic prosperity of the Indian living abroad.

If we look at the figure of the last 10 years, India is the country to achieve the highest remedy. The report of the World Bank confirms this. According to this report, in Mexico with 5.8 lakh crore Remittens in the year 2024, China has been at number three with Rs 4.1 lakh crore.

Remittance compensation for business deficit

In eight sales, the amount of remittance has almost doubled. Remittance 6 lakh crore during financial year 2014-15, 5.62 lakh crore during 2015-16, 5.26 lakh crore during 2016-17, 5.93 lakh crore during 2017-18, 6.55 lakh crore during 2018-19, 6.55 lakh crore during 2018-19, 6.13 lakh crore during 2019-2020, 6.13 lakhs during 2019-2020, 6.87 lakh crore during 2020-21.

7.64 lakh crore during financial year 2021-22, 9.64 lakh crore during 2022-23, 10.18 lakh crore during 2023-24 and Rs 11.63 lakh crore during 2025-25. The RBI report shows that among the money that has come from abroad, Britain, America and Singapore accounts for 45 percent of the total remedies. That is, up to 47 percent of our business deficit is repaid from Remittens.

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Mutual Funds for Ri Investors Tax-Free Returns have come up with big news! Recently, Mumbai Income Tax Applelate Tribunal (ITAT) has decided that NRI living in some countries will not have to pay tax on the capital gains from Indian Mutual Funds. This benefit has been possible under India-Singapore Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). NRI living in countries with no income tax like UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain will get special benefit. In this video we will tell you under which conditions tax-free returns are possible, what is the meaning of dtaa, and the right way to save tax on Mutual Fund Returns. Watch the video for complete information!