Saudi Arabia deportee charts course to success

Balwinder Singh (39), who was deported from Saudi Arabia and hails from Mallan village in Gidderbaha, is an inspiration for the recent US deportees.

Balwinder, who was expelled in September 2023, drives a truck between Punjab and Gujarat, which he purchased on loan. A landless man, Balwinder, had gone to Saudi Arabia in 2008. During a brawl in 2013, he killed a local in self-defence.

He was first awarded imprisonment for seven years and later a court directed him to pay blood money of Rs 2 crore to the deceased’s family or face beheading.

Balwinder’s family raised blood money through charity and paid it to the Saudi authrorities, after which he was deported. He said, “I have experienced worse situation than the recent US deportees. I spent nearly a decade in the jail. If God closes one door, He opens another. My family had no money to pay as blood money settlement. A number of kind-hearted people came forward and saved my life. Now, I am not only earning but also trying to save my elder brother from the scourge of drug addiction.”

He added, “After returning from Saudi Arabia, I initially worked for some time at a hotel in Patiala. Later, I purchased a truck on loan.”

Balwinder claimed that he was cheated by a Zirakpur-based travel agent. “The agent promised me a driver’s job in Saudi Arabia. However, I was forced to do manual labour. I urge everyone to work hard here,” added Balwinder.