Stranded man gets aid pledge to settle debts
Published: Sunday, 20 July, 2008, 12:28 AM Doha Time
By Ramesh Mathew
Two Indian businessmen have agreed to pay the money required to settle the debts of P Aboo, an Indian national who has been stranded in Qatar for nine years as he has not been able to clear rent arrears amounting to about QR200,000.
Though Aboo has repaid over QR150,000 by doing odd jobs after his restaurant folded in 2001, he still owes his building owner about QR40,000.
Responding to Aboo’s story published in Gulf Times, managing director of Consilium Qatar M Sivasankar yesterday promised QR15,000 while chairman of Nasser al-Hajri Trading and Contracting Company Ravi Pillai pledged QR10,000.
According to sources, the lawyer of the landlord has agreed to settle the matter if Aboo paid QR25,000.
The donors have intimated their decision to Indian Nationals Abroad president Nizar Kochery and urged him to co-ordinate the matter with concerned parties.
“The money will be handed over to Indian Ambassador George Joseph in a day or two,” Kochery told Gulf Times.
Lauding all who came forward to help Aboo, the ambassador in a mail to this newspaper said: “Once again, the Indian community in Qatar rose to the occasion for helping a needy brother. It is heart-warming indeed to see how people reacted in their own ways, doing the best each one can….. Some write…, some share their concern with others … while some others come to their aid…
“This enormous fund of goodwill towards others is the distinguishing trait of our community in Qatar. No one has yet invented a yardstick to measure concern.”
Reacting to the Gulf Times report, some other Indians, including Indian Community Benevolent Fund (ICBF) president Dr Mohan Thomas have agreed to provide Aboo with financial assistance. Nilafour Ghassain, a bank official too has expressed her desire to help the stranded man.
The 61-year-old Aboo, who had to close down his restaurant in 2001 after he suffered huge losses, has been doing all kinds of odd jobs to repay his rental arrears, which at one time stood close to QR200,000.
Aboo is a native of Chavakkad in Kerala’s Thrissur district. He has a wife and a 19-year-old daughter back home.
Source: Gulf-times.com
Speed Comments:
It is indeed a great news for all of us that finally someone has come forward and offer to settle QR. 25,000/- to the stranded man ;-) Kuddos to Mr. Sivasankar and Mr.Pillai for their generosity and kind heart.
I must admit that QL Community was the first to react and they came forward and offer their help. As per the response received by Qlers I estimated that in just 1 day we had indication that around QR. 7000/- to QR.10,000/- towards contribution to the poor man who suffered enormously for the last 10 years and who had bleak future.
We will collect this money and ensure that it reaches him regardless of the settlement of his loans. As this money will help this poor man to start a new life at this very old age where he is meeting his family after almost 9 years he must be having requirements to meet the needs of his family.
I hope you will agree to this view and contribute the money to enable him and his family to have some kind of good feelings and relieve their miseries at last.
I suggest we all meet at coffee shop (day time to be decided after your suggestions) and handover the collections to Dr. Mohan Thomas, the presidend of Indian Community Benevolent Fund(ICBF) in the presence of meida so that our every step is transparent to public.
All suggestions are welcome !
Link to QLVG earlier Appeal : http://www.qatarlivi...
