India, Oct. 29 -- Punjabi NRI businessman Darshan Singh Sahsi, 68, who was shot dead in Canada in a targeted attack reportedly by the Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldy Brar gang, was best known for his massive business of recycled clothing. But the problem of illicit drugs - particularly the issue of addiction among youth in Punjab - was a crucial focus in his life.

And a standout moment came in 2016, when he delivered a speech at the memorium of his nephew.

"I don't want to hide the truth. My nephew has died of drug addiction," Sahsi had said in a poignant speech at the gurdwara in his native place Rajgarh near Doraha, 20 km from Ludhiana.

At the 'bhog ardas' (concluding prayers) for 36-year-old Jagjit Singh Sahsi, who left behind his wife and a...