Dr Surinderpal Singh Oberoi and (Right) Oberoi being felicitated by Gurbax Singh Malhi, ex-MP, and Dr. Dalbir Singh Kathuria / Prabhjot Paul Singh

It is the story of a man who left his home, as he did not want to pursue his post-matriculation studies. Fifty years later, he is now funding universities while promoting quality education.

He is an NRI who says he earmarks more than per cent of his income for charities. "Two pepper cents income is enough for me and my family for a decent living," he says.

He is none other than Surinderpal Singh Oberoi, a successful entrepreneur, a philanthropist, and the founder of the "Sarbat da Bhalla" trust that has been funding numerous public welfare activities. He is the man who has worked single-handedly to save nearly 150 youth from the gallows in the Middle East, but also ensured their rehabilitation back home.

He was felicitated by the Vishav Punjabi Bhavan in Brampton this weekend in recognition of his "selfless contributions" for the welfare of humankind. Gurbux Singh Malhi, who incidentally became the first "turbaned" Sikh to sit in a parliament outside India, was the guest of honour at an event that members of the Indian diaspora well attended.

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While narrating his story, Surinderpal Singh Oberoi recalled the days when he revolted and refused to pursue his post-matric studies. "My father wanted me to study further, but I had no interest in studies. One day, I told my parents that I have no interest in studies. They were upset. I told them that I want to do something different.

"When I decided to leave the home and venture out in search of my world, I had 600 rupees in my pocket. My father, a strict disciplinarian, gave me some more and told me that I would show them my face only after I had achieved something.

"I worked as a labourer on the roadside before I got a chance to work on a construction project in Dubai as a mechanic. After five years, when I returned home, my father made fun of me, saying, "What have I become—a mechanic? It pinched me, and I left the home again. This time, I started my work in Dubai and worked hard.

"The Almighty was kind. My construction business flourished.

"The turning point in my life came on March 31, 2010, when I read in a newspaper that 17 Indian boys had been given a death sentence for the death of a Pakistani boy. How could 17 people be sent to the gallows for the death or murder of a single person? There were alarm bells in my brain. I was convinced that there must be some innocent boys being prosecuted for a crime they had not committed.

"Since it was on my mind, I worked with law enforcement agencies, families of the boys facing the death sentences, lawyers, and others. I concluded that only three of the 17 boys were involved in the incident where a boy from Pakistan was killed. I paid the blood money to the family of the slain Pakistani boy and got all those released and deported back to India.

"See the fate of those released. Those who, in stories narrated by them, were involved in the crime met unnatural ends on their return over a period, while the rest, 14, have settled down well, have families, and are living happily.

"In all, I have got nearly 150 migrant labourers or workers facing gallows released by paying blood money to the families of the victims. The beneficiaries were not only Punjabi boys but also from other parts of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and other countries.

"I never took up cases where there were serious charges like murder, rape, or illicit smuggling of liquor or narcotics," says Mr. Surinderpal Singh Oberoi.

 
 

(from left) Gurbax Singh Malhi, Dr Dalbir Singh Kathuria and Husnain (a folk singer from Pakistan) / Prabhjot Paul Singh

His "Sarbat da Bhalla" organisation is now starting universities to provide quality and affordable education to vulnerable youth, besides setting up special centres for special needs. Old age pensions to deserving people, providing free rations to needy people, giving roofs over heads to a select section of people, and running highly subsidised diagnostic centres all over North India are some of the projects he runs with his own money.

His organisation does not accept donations—cash or kind.

Even in Dubai, his organisation provides free rations and food packets to needy migrant labourers. He has a big setup in India that controls and runs various charitable institutions run by the organisation.

Gurbux Singh Malhi, who became the first turbaned Sikh to be elected to the House of Commons in 1993, eulogised the selfless contributions of Surinderpal Singh Oberoi. He also lauded Vishav Punjabi Bhavan for providing a platform for the organisations promoting Punjabi and Punjabiyat on Canadian soil.

Dr. Dalbir Singh Kathuria of Vishav Punjabi Bhavan traced the origin and growth of his organisation, saying that it was working dedicatedly for the promotion of the Punjabi language and culture in Canada.