Helping hands reach Uttarakhand after gas leak in Georgia

AMRITSAR: After providing both emotional and financial support to 9 out of the 10 Punjabi victims of the tragic gas leak incident in Georgia, the Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust (SDBCT), a Dubai-based philanthropic organization, is now all set to help the sole Indian victim of tragedy living outside Punjab in Uttarakhand and will be dispatching its team to deliver much-needed financial assistance directly to the bereaved family at their doorstep.
SPS Oberoi, the Managing Trustee of SDBCT, informed that Gopal ,brother of Preetam Lal, a victim of the Georgia gas tragedy, a resident of Maykot village in Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, reached out to the Trust with a heartfelt question: "Do you also help people from outside Punjab?”
“I told him that the very name of our Trust, Sarbat Da Bhala (well-being for all), explains our commitment to help every person in need, regardless of their background or location. We assist those in distress without any discrimination”, said he.
Late Preetam Lal is survived by his father, Basant Lal, 60, mother, Sauni Devi, 58, wife Kusum Lata, 30, and their two children, 8-year-old daughter Amreeta and 2-year-old son Arav. Following the tragic death of the family's sole breadwinner, they are struggling to make ends meet, said Oberoi.
Notably, twelve persons, including 11 Indians and 1 Georgian, had died in a suspected case of carbon monoxide poisoning in a restaurant in Gudauri, Georgia, on December 14, 2024. Among the Indian victims, 10 were from Punjab, and one hailed from Uttarakhand. In the wake of this heartbreaking loss, the SDBCT has provided support to the nine affected Punjabi families, though one family declined assistance.
The Trust has allocated bank fixed deposits of Rs 2 lakh each for a period of twelve to fifteen years for the six daughters of the victims and has announced monthly pensions and educational scholarships of Rs 5,000, Rs 7,500, and Rs 10,000, depending on the specific case. Oberoi further added that the Trust will be repairing or constructing homes for four of the victims and has already purchased 2 marlas of land to add to the five marlas of land owned by one of the victims from Moga.
Oberoi said that similar assistance would be extended to the family of the late Preetam Lal, as provided to the other victims families. "The Trust has approved the opening of a Rs 2 lalkh fixed deposit in the name of Preetam Lal's daughter, along with a family pension and scholarship of Rs 5,000 each, to help the family cope with the hardships of life," he said. Oberoi further mentioned that the Trust’s team will soon be leaving for Maykot in Tehri Garhwal to deliver the support personally and assess if the family requires any further assistance.
Kusum Lata, the wife of Pritam Lal, expressed that they have not received any assistance from anyone, including the Uttarakhand government. She expressed her sincere gratitude to Oberoi who is sending his team to support them during this difficult time, offering financial assistance to help ease their grief.