By Manjit Singh | Thailand |
Residing almost a decade in a foreign city is both a demanding and transformative journey.
The challenges of adapting to a new environment, and pursuing professional and personal goals often test the resilience of individuals. Yet, for me, this journey was made not only manageable but also enriching, thanks to the exceptional affability of the Bangkok Khurana family (known also as the Malaysia Wale among the Thai Sikhs).
From the very outset, when I met Sardar Dalip Singh, the eldest member of the Khurana Family at Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha Bangkok in April 2017, the Khurana family extended their hospitality with sincerity and warmth. The generosity of this Gursikh family
went far beyond offering friendship. Through gurdwara sangat meet-ups, simple gestures of kindness, invitations to shared meals and get-togethers accompanied with their exceptional jovialness, they ensured that a foreign city soon began to feel like home. The thoughtful kinship of the eldest to the grandchildren turned ordinary days away from home into treasured memories.
Their unwavering support is a testament to the Sikhi values of empathy, compassion, community and solidarity. Through various selfless acts (e.g. comforting by reaching out with ‘panjiri’ during COVID quarantines, opening their home and soothing apprehension with hot chaa-pakorae during the Bangkok earthquake), demonstrated how the company of caring friends can profoundly transform an experience abroad.
As this chapter of my professional vocation draws to a close, the camaraderie of the Khurana Family stands out as a story worth honouring publicly. Their kindness has left an indelible impression and serves as an inspiring reminder of the impact humans can have when they open their hearts and homes to others. I take this opportunity to recognize with sincere appreciation their remarkable support — a gesture that turned an otherwise solitary and challenging journey, into one of warmth, belonging and enduring friendship. Inspired by this experience, that lesson of compassion and generosity stays with me, guiding me towards any opportunity for ‘paying forward’ the kindness and warmth I was fortunate to receive, once I resettle in my home country.
To Sardar Dalip Singh the guiding patriarch of the Khurana Family and to his gracious wife Sardarni Satvinder Kaur – my heartfelt thanks for your extraordinary hospitality for which I remain truly grateful. To their extended wonderful family members: thank you for being more than friends. The bond we share will always remain one of the most meaningful gifts I received during my time in Bangkok. A powerful reminder: even in distant places, one can find ‘family’ in the truest sense of the word.
Manjit Singh, PhD, who served with Malaysia’s Department of Civil Aviation, is a seasoned Malaysian aviation professional, who moved on from the comfort of the Malaysian civil service to serve as the Deputy Regional Director of the ICAO Asia Pacific Office, a specialised agency of the United Nations, in Bangkok, Thailand.
RELATED STORY:
Rajpal moves to Jakarta, continues family healthcare tradition (Asia Samachar, 28 Jan 2024)
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here
