Prominent New Amsterdam businessman, Tula Udit popularly known as ‘Haribol’ passed away overseas yesterday at the age of 58 after a period of illness, Stabroek News was told.
Udit operated the ‘Haribol General Store’ located in Pitt Street, New Amsterdam for many years now. According to information gathered, he recently fell ill and was being treated in Georgetown after which he was taken abroad where he passed away.
He was well known throughout the region and country for his philanthropy. After the closure of the Skeldon and Rose Hall sugar estates, Udit teamed up with overseas-based Guyanese, the then opposition PPP/C and chambers of commerce within the region to distribute hampers continuously to the severed sugar workers and their families.
He did the same throughout the Covid–19 pandemic.
He was often in contact with Stabroek News looking for stories where persons were seeking help. He had also distributed hampers and other supplies to victims of fires and robberies.
He had also helped a number of single parents and elderly folks within the region. Udit would use his personal bus to transport the items to the recipients of hampers.
Last evening, Pandit Deodat Persaud, who confirmed the news, said, that it was a great loss to the Berbice community. He said, Udit was also leading a project – distributing hampers to Mandirs throughout Berbice.
Persaud said “He was an exemplary human being” as he expressed condolences to his wife, children, and relatives.
