It is the extraordinary journey of a man who once walked away from home, unwilling to pursue post-matriculation studies. Five decades later, he funds universities, champions quality education, and supports some of the most vulnerable communities across the world.

That man is Surinderpal Singh Oberoi, a successful entrepreneur, renowned philanthropist, and founder of the Sarbat da Bhalla Trust. Today, he is recognized not only for his charitable work but also for his unmatched efforts in saving the lives of nearly 150 migrant workers from death sentences in the Middle East, while ensuring their rehabilitation upon return.

An NRI with deep roots in Punjab, Oberoi has made philanthropy his life’s mission. He says he donates most of his income to charitable causes. “Two percent income is enough for me and my family for a decent living,” he explains.

This past weekend, Oberoi was felicitated by Vishav Punjabi Bhavan in Brampton for his “selfless contributions” to humanity. The event was attended by members of the Indian diaspora and featured Gurbux Singh Malhi, the first turbaned Sikh to serve in a parliament outside India, as the guest of honor.

Recalling his early years, Oberoi shared how he defied his father’s wishes to continue studying. “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.”

With only ₹600 in his pocket, he left home to chart his own path. His father, a strict disciplinarian, gave him additional money but told him to return only after achieving something worthwhile.

Oberoi worked as a roadside laborer before securing a job as a mechanic on a construction project in Dubai. Five years later, when he returned home, his father mocked him for being “just a mechanic.” Stung by the comment, Oberoi left again, this time to build his own business in Dubai. Through sheer determination, his construction company flourished.

Oberoi describes March 31, 2010, as a life-changing day. Reading a newspaper report that 17 Indian boys had been sentenced to death in the UAE for the killing of a Pakistani national, he was shaken. “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,” he recalled.

Determined to find justice, he worked closely with law enforcement authorities, lawyers, and the families of the accused. “I concluded that only three of the 17 boys were involved in the incident… I paid the blood money to the family of the slain Pakistani boy and got all those released and deported back to India.”

In the years since, he has secured the release of nearly 150 migrant workers from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and other countries, always avoiding cases involving heinous crimes such as murder, rape, or narcotics smuggling.

Beyond rescue efforts, Oberoi’s Sarbat da Bhalla Trust is committed to long-term welfare. The organization is establishing universities to provide quality, affordable education for underprivileged youth, along with specialized centers for children with special needs. It also runs programs that provide pensions to senior citizens, distribute free rations, construct homes, and operate low-cost diagnostic centers across North India.

Importantly, Oberoi funds all initiatives through his own resources. His trust does not accept donations of any kind. Even in Dubai, the organization provides rations and food packets to migrant workers in need.

At the Brampton event, Gurbux Singh Malhi lauded Oberoi’s humanitarian vision. He also praised Vishav Punjabi Bhavan for offering a platform to organizations working to promote Punjabi culture and identity abroad. Dalbir Singh Kathuria, representing Vishav Punjabi Bhavan, traced the growth of the organization and its efforts to preserve the Punjabi language and traditions in Canada.

From a young man who once defied convention to a global philanthropist shaping lives through education and welfare, Oberoi’s journey is a testament to resilience, compassion, and service to humanity.

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