Tributes pour in for a Dundee man who made a difference in his community

Through his many years of running popular restaurant and bar ‘The Curry Parlour’ and his passion for helping the disadvantaged from all walks of life, Dev Balgobind built up a formidable reputation as someone who made a difference in the local community.

His passing on Saturday at the aged of just 53 (after an illness bravely borne) saw an outpouring of grief from his close-knit family, his many friends and those to whom Dev reached out to in a range of charity initiatives he founded and drove.

Following the death of his father, Ram, Dev left his job as a mechanic in Vryheid to take up the reigns at ‘The Curry Parlour’. From there, he came up with the idea that the ‘regulars’ who frequented the restaurant should contribute to the less fortunate.

Then the Toys for Joy drive began, which saw hundreds of toys donated to the children’s hospital ward (complete with a Father Christmas) and to local orphanages. In June 2010, he joined forces with the Courier to host the much-remembered World Cup Street Party to mark the opening game of the Soccer World Cup hosted in South Africa.

Scenes above from the famous World Cup 2010 Street Party on Beaconsfield Street 

There were also regular lunchtime get-togethers for the elderly, sponsored by Dev.
In addition, he got his patrons involved in Mandela Day initiatives, which saw them spend chilly winter nights out on the street to donate winter blankets to the homeless.

Dev’s unique gentle-yet-persuasive nature made ‘The Curry Parlour’ probably the first and only truly ‘non-racial social get-together place’ in town. Dev will go down in the community as a person who strove to make a difference and did.
The Courier expresses its condolences to Dev’s family – may he rest in peace.