KNOW THEIR SAVIOUR

CHANDIGARH: Philanthropy is a way of life for SPS Oberoi. So much so that Oxford University had bestowed an honorary doctorate on him for it. The 59-year-old businessman, a native of India’s Punjab and is based in Dubai, is in the news again for depositing blood money to save 10 Indians from his home state who faced the death sentence for the murder of a Pakistani man in the UAE.

He puts his annual charity bill at ₹36 crore, and is known as a saviour not only of Punjabis but of whoever approaches him, particularly in the Middle East or West Asia.

He deposited ₹ 60 lakh (200,000 dirham) with a UAE court last week and the 10 youths from Punjab would soon be released as the murder victim’s father has agreed to a pardon. He says he has saved 88 people so far.

Oberoi is expected to bring ten youths back to their homes and give them jobs in the district offices of his social organisation, Sarbat Da Bhala Trust.