- By Supratik Das
- Tue, 11 Nov 2025 06:04 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
An Indian man living in the United States has gone viral for sharing a heartbreaking story that, he says, reflects a “sad reality” of American life, the loneliness of elderly citizens who live and die alone.
In an emotional Instagram video, Sachin Sindhu, who resides in the US, narrated how his 80-year-old neighbour, identified as Shafar, passed away alone in his apartment. Sindhu said the elderly man had no wife or children living with him and that he was probably the only one who knew him personally.
“I didn’t hear from him for a day. I got worried, so I used the spare keys to check on him. He was lying lifeless on his bed,” Sindhu said, adding that police later confirmed the man’s death. “No wife, no children living with him. I was probably the only one who knew him well,” he repeated, visibly emotional in the video.
Spots Cultural Differences Between India And US
The young Indian resident then reflected on the cultural differences he observed between India and the US. He said that while the United States offered independence and privacy, it often lacked the deep-rooted sense of family that exists in India.
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“One thing I really dislike about the USA is that families don’t live together. Parents don’t want to stay with their children, and children don’t want to stay with their parents,” Sindhu said. “In India, we take care of our elders and stay connected. That culture does not exist here, and that’s why many elderly people die in isolation.” He also told the police that if no family member came forward, he would personally take care of Shafar’s funeral arrangements.
Mixed Reactions Online
Sindhu’s video quickly struck a chord online, gathering thousands of reactions and sparking a larger discussion on social media about loneliness and the breakdown of family systems in modern societies.
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“Nice message brother… appreciate your feelings,” one user wrote. Another commented, “Same thing happened in my building. It’s heartbreaking.” A third shared a similar experience, saying, “My neighbour Paul passed away last week. No family, nothing. It’s sad. He was a good man.”
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Many praised Sindhu for his compassion, calling his act “a reminder of humanity.” Others said his message sheds light on a growing social problem that often remains unseen, the quiet suffering of elderly people living alone in developed countries.
