A sole earning member of an Indian-origin family untimely lost his life to an unprecedented heart attack on May 7, 2026, in the US, according to a GoFundMe donation campaign launched by North America Telugu Society (NATS) for his grieving family.
Originally a native of Gadwal, Telangana, Sunil Kumar Gundrai was a “dedicated professional” working with IT company Capgemini in Tampa, Florida, before the unexpected tragedy.
He has left behind his wife and two young children, for whom he “worked tirelessly to build a better life” in the United States. “Every sacrifice he made was driven by one dream – to give his children the best possible future and education,” stated the GoFundMe campaign.
North America Telugu Society sets up GoFundMe for NRI techie’s family
NATS has currently set a donations cap of $200,000 for Gundrai’s family, as they come to terms with the harrowing reality and face immense emotional and financial hardship. At the time of writing, the GoFundMe fundraiser had amassed nearly $60,000.
From India to US: IT professional’s journey for ‘better life’
Described as a “loving husband, devoted father and dedicated professional,” Sunil Kumar Gundrai’s roots trace back to humble beginning where “education and hard work were deeply valued,” according to the fundraiser. The Gadwal native was inspired his father, who was a government school teacher in India, to work tirelessly and build a “better life for his family” in the United States of America.
In the wake Sunil’s untimely and tragic passing, his family has been left isolated without any financial help as other members of their extended family and “support system” are far away, presumably in India.
At a time like this, the North America Telugu Society’s fundraiser for fellow members of the Indian diaspora is urging the community to come together and support Gundrai’s family. The campaign launched this week seeks to cover immediate living and emergency expenses, funeral and related arrangements, household and day-to-day family needs, and long-term educational support for the late IT professional’s two children.
The shocking news of Sunil’s death shook the Indian community merely days after reports of 26-year-old Indian student Mohammad Kumel Shaik died of cardiac arrest in California. The young student, who had his whole life ahead of him, succumbed to the ailment a day after celebrating his own graduation walk from Gold Gate University.
The Indian student tragedy similarly sent ripples to India, with his family back in his home country.
“Mohammad came to the US with big dream and worked incredibly hard for his future and for his family back in India,” read the GoFundMe fundraiser launched after his passing. “We are now trying to raise funds to help send his body back to India and perform his final rites.”
“The family is from a lower-middle-class background, and this support would also help ease the burden of his educational loans and unexpected expenses during this heartbreaking time.”