Indian amputee, wife get a warm send-off from UAE

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Indian amputee, wife get a warm send-off from UAE

Abu Dhabi - The couple will be heading back to Punjab.

Indian worker Gurbinder Singh - who lost his hands and legs due to a workplace incident - and his wife Rajwinder Kaur are overwhelmed with emotions as they are set to return home this Saturday. Indian Embassy, community associations and others came together to bid them farewell at an event held at India Social and Cultural Centre Abu Dhabi.

In February, Gurbinder met with an accident while at work, which left him incapacitated. He was later terminated from his job and in his own words was rendered "as good as dead". Rajwinder, who had never been out of her native place in Punjab, took a flight to be with her husband.

Rajwinder was clueless about the paperwork to be followed in a foreign land. When she was feeling lost, she found massive support from the Indian Embassy officials and community associations. Khaleej Times had reported the case in detail, which led to Singh receiving compensation from his company. Later, he also got a custom-made wheelchair from Dubai-based Aster Healthcare.

Heartwarming response

At the farewell meeting, Indian Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri said there is often something positive that comes even out of difficult circumstances. "The manner in which our community got together, people pooled in their resources and various organisations came forward (to help Gurbinder) was extremely heartwarming."

He noted that for the first time, the embassy and the community together insisted for some decent form of compensation. "We hope to have set a benchmark that Indian lives are important," the ambassador added.

Singh was offered a compensation of Dh200,000. India Social and Cultural Centre president Ramesh V. Panicker gave Rs500,000 (Dh26,290) on behalf of the association. "Gurbinder is mentally very strong. He has overcome the crisis through his sheer determination and courage," Panicker underlined.

Indian Punjabi Business and Professional Forum president Surjit Singh said the kind of response from all corners in the case was unprecedented. "I haven't seen anything like this in 40 years here - neither a case like this nor the huge response that followed. Even though the couple is leaving now, we will follow-up till he starts walking," Surjit said. The Punjabi community presented Rs1.1 million (Dh57,820) to the family, while the Gujarati Samaj Abu Dhabi gave Rs100,000 (Dh5,240).

Last month, Indian Islamic Centre Abu Dhabi had contributed Rs100,000. Members of Kerala Social Centre, Indian Ladies Association and other organisations were also present on the occasion.

'We are no longer alone'

The couple will be heading back to Punjab where their two children are waiting, and later, they will shift to Aster Medicity Kochi in Kerala for rehab programme.

Gurbinder Singh thanked everyone for support. "I stay positive in my life. I have lost both my hands and legs, and nothing can change that loss for me. But this situation has helped us make so many new friends. Now, the company has promised us return tickets. All is well that ends well," said Singh.

"I was lost when I came here. But now we are overwhelmed by the support and love of people here. We are no longer alone," said Rajwinder.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com