The Aussies wanted to fix him for racism in 2007; two years later on May 7, 2009 he lost his 26-year-old nephew Upkar Singh Babbal in a possible racial attack in Melbourne.
He might have been the face of racist attack in the cricketing world from Down Under, but guess what the Turbanotar’s face promotes to Ahmedabad youngsters — higher education in Australia and New Zealand! Bhajji who is the brand ambassador of an Ahmedabad-based foreign education consultant Planet Education continues to endorse Kangaroo education. Hoardings of Bhajji endorsing higher education in Australia have dotted the city’s skyline for nearly three years now.
What’s more, despite his nephew’s freak death, Bhajji continues to be the mascot of the consultancy firm, as confirmed by the proprietor Sanket Shah. “Bhajji is a very close friend. He has been the brand ambassador of Planet for three years now and will continue to be so. I am constantly in touch with him and his family,” Shah said.
Singh’s family has alleged that Upkar was killed by a taxi driver on May 7 and his body was later thrown on the railway track. Upkaar’s father Jagjit Singh has demanded a probe by the Indian government into Babbal’s death and has been quoted as saying that his deceased son had informed him a number of times of “discrimination” against Indian students in Australia. Shah, however, insists that the charges of racism have neither been proven, nor are there any evidence.
“It is very important not to relate what happened to other students with what happened to Bhajji’s kin,” said Shah. “It is unfortunate that we have lost Upkaar; convincing clarification and proofs have been sought from Australian authorities regarding the circumstances of his (Upkaar’s) death. It will be unfair to form any statement till then.”
Though Planet provides consultation for higher studies in Australia, NZ, UK, US, Singapore and Canada as well, its claim to fame in the city has been its aggressive focus on Australia.
