Courtyard Marriott Brampton owner Kuldeep Sharma says he did his duty by helping fellow Indian family in trouble
The Canadian Bazaar
TORONTO: Many Indo-Canadians helped stranded relatives and friends with accommodation and money after India banned international flights in March.
But one Indian tourist family from Pudducherry – which was stopped from boarding their return flight to India on March 15 – had nowhere to go as they had no relatives and friends in Canada.
Courtyard Marriott Brampton owner Kuldeep Sharma came to their rescue as he threw his hotel open to them. And the family enjoyed his free hospitality for three months!
“I cannot even imagine what would have happened to us if Kuldeep Sharma hadn’t opened his doors to us. Not only were we given five-star accommodation, we also got free food and all the facilities for three months for my whole family – my wife, two teenage daughters and me,” said Natarajan Murugesan who just flew back to India.
Recalling his nightmare, Natarajan said, “We landed in Toronto on March 8 and had a fun-filled week-long trip here. Our nightmare began when we reached Toronto airport on March 15 to catch our British Airways return flight. The lady told us that we cannot board the plane as India has banned entry of all passengers for one month.”
He said he fought with the airline staff to let them board the flight, but they won’t relent.
“We had nowhere to go. Since the India ban was for one month, I shuddered at the thought of surviving on little money in my pocket. My teenage daughters kept crying. Exhausted, we exited Toronto airport at midnight and went to a hotel,” he said.
Desperate for help, Natarajan started searching for free shelter wherever he could find – religious shrines or any other place.
“A Sri Lankan pastor in Toronto was kind enough to allow us to live at his church for some time. There were no shower facilities, but we were happy to have a place to sleep.”
Then help came from an unexpected quarter. “My elder daughter had written about our plight on a website created by the Indian government for those stranded abroad. The portal responded by asking us to contact the Indian Consulate in Toronto,” said Natarajan.
Armed with the response, he went to the Indian Consulate for help. The Consulate got in touch with the Canada India Foundation.
As a Foundation member, the Indo-Canadian hotelier immediately threw open his Courtyard Marriott Brampton to the stranded family.
“Our joy knew no bounds when we were told three days later that we are getting a free five-star accommodation. From the depth of despair to getting a five-star accommodation a huge thing,” Natarajan narrated.
“The five-star accommodation and food from the local Ram Mandir freed us from anxiety as we waited for the flights to restart. Finally, we got our relatives in India to send us the money for return tickets and we flew home.”
Thanking the Courtyard Marriott Brampton hotelier, Natarajan said, “This man is God for me. The coronavirus has crippled his hotel business, but he showed a large heart. I have decided to go on fast and hold prayers for him.”
For his part, Kuldeep Sharma said, “I was just helping a fellow human being in dire need. Helping someone from India is our duty and dharma. That’s all.”
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