Harjinder Singh Kukreja Harjinder Singh Kukreja

Birthplace: Patna, Bihar (India)
Residence: Ludhiana, Punjab (India)

 

With millions of followers on social media, Harjinder Singh Kukreja is one of the most followed Sikhs online. He is a renowned restaurateur, a global citizen with strong traditional roots, a variety of interests, with an amazing social media reach of over 4 million combined followers on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

 

Little do people know but he is also the first Sikh to sky-dive wearing his Turban in 2014 in Melbourne and the first Sikh to scuba-dive with his Turban in 2016 in Antalya, Turkey. His Turbaned Skydive and Scuba Dive are feats which will always be highly appreciated in Sikh circles.

 

When Harjinder Singh Kukreja steps foot in a new country or a new place or delves into a new subject, he carries with him his indomitable spirit of adventure, his knowledge of the heritage and legacy of India.

 

His vast experience and reach of active and significant influence in the world through social media, his sophisticated forays into meeting diplomats around the globe, and his unique detours as a keen family traveller are well known and acknowledged worldwide. All this with the responsibility and professionalism of a well-established business person, the love of a family person, the intervention of a public speaker and influencer, the gregariousness of a Punjabi with the courage and philanthropy of a Sikh.

 

Post-partition most people migrated from the newly formed Pakistan and settled in Punjab and Delhi regions, mine was perhaps one of the very few families who settled far in Patna Sahib, Bihar. My grandfather told me that we were very affluent and well-known in Sialkot, but once in Patna, our family had to rebuild everything from scratch. My grandfather, along with my father and uncles, worked very hard and established Bihar’s largest cycle and motorcycle and spare parts agencies. They also setup one of Patna’s most iconic, Mayfair Restaurant and a Hotel in a posh vicinity of the city. Once things started coming back on track, another blow hit us hard. The 1984 anti-Sikh riots shook us and forced us to migrate to Ludhiana. It took us many years to wind up our businesses in Bihar and start afresh and expand in Punjab, a place where we now live and serve.

 

Harjinder was awarded the ‘Jewels of Punjab’ Award in 2019 by India’s former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for his contribution to Sikh and Punjabi culture and its promotion in his typical ways.

 

From installing Sikh emblems, the Ik Onkar and Khanda at the World War I memorial in Ypres, Belgium in the memory of fallen Sikh soldiers to his contribution and presence at the unveiling of the bust of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in St.-Tropez, France, Harjinder has been highlighting the Sikh military history and making extensive efforts to promote it.

 

From gifting a unique painting of Maharaja Ranjit Singh with his French General Jean François Allard to the French Ambassador in India, Alexander Ziegler, to hoisting the Nishan Sahib in Gallipoli in Turkey to pay homage to the unknown Sikh soldiers who were martyred there, Harjinder loves to promote the lesser known aspects of Sikh history zealously.

 

Government schools and offices in France do not allow religious symbols like Turbans and Hijabs. I decided to voice my concern positively. In 2014, I skydived with the Turban on from 14,000ft in St Kilda, Melbourne and am also the first Sikh to scuba-dive in the Turban in 2016 in Antalya, Turkey. My Turbaned sky-dive was an effort made to raise voice in favour of not just the Sikh religion but for everyone who wears articles of faith like the cross, hijab, skull cap and the Turban.

 

Inclusion in The Sikh 100

Harjinder Singh Kukreja has been named among the 100 most powerful Sikhs in the world by The Sikh 100, a prestigious annual publication that showcases the most influential contemporary Sikhs worldwide. Kukreja, who boasts over 4 million followers on various social media platforms, has been ranked 98th in the 2022-2023 edition of the list. The Sikh 100 aims to inspire individuals to achieve greatness by highlighting successful individuals from all spheres of life.

 

Appointment as Cultural Ambassador of India

Harjinder Singh Kukreja was appointed as a 'Cultural Ambassador' by the Government of India as the country celebrated 75 years of Independence. Kukreja was one of the 75 chosen celebrities appointed at an official event organized by the government at The Asiatic Society, Mumbai. The chosen influencers included digital creators, singers, actors, and chefs, and Kukreja is a prominent member of the Sikh community. Kukreja expressed his gratitude for being appointed as a Cultural Ambassador and sees this as an opportunity to inspire and motivate the millions who follow him. Kukreja is known for his contributions to society during natural calamities and is a staunch believer in the importance of the family unit for societal progress.

 

Days I wish came back

I was born to Devenderjeet Kaur and Jarnail Singh on 10 September 1986. Since my childhood, my parents always inspired me to follow my passion and work hard. They taught my brother, Randeep and me that there is no shortcut to success.

 

Our days in Patna were one of the best of my life. My brother and I enjoyed playing with our cousins and neighbours. But this joy was short-lived, as in grade 1, I was sent to boarding school in Mussoorie. There I studied in Hampton Court, Mussoorie and the completed my high school from another school in Mussoorie, St. George’s College. As I spent most of my school days in boarding, I valued every moment I spent with my family during vacations.

 

The Sikh religion lays much importance on learning, so much so that the word ‘Sikh’ means ‘student’. Since the day I learnt this, I have been open to learning and have enjoyed my academic life. My childhood and lifetime hero is Guru Gobind Singh ji, the 10th Sikh guru whose resilience, valour and love are an unparalleled inspiration.

 

My father's hard work inspired me towards hospitality

 

When I was twelve years old, my father and my uncle, Satinder Singh, started Hot Breads in Ludhiana, often called the Manchester of India. At that time, the city did not have a European bakery to call its own. We were the only franchisee owners of Hot Breads, a boulangerie selling cakes and pastries, providing the ultimate quality for the ever-growing taste buds of Ludhianvis. Above all, it was the city's first bakery that delivered bread and cakes to people’s homes.

 

In 2000, my father and uncle convinced Master Chef, Sanjeev Kapoor to partner with us and open a restaurant in Ludhiana. They opened The Yellow Chilli, the maiden restaurant of Chef Sanjeev Kapoor in India. All this inspired me to join my family business after education.

 

After I completed my school education from St George’s College, Mussoorie in 2004, I completed my graduation from Pune. After college in 2008, I really wanted to get a job and work in a company before joining the family business. But I thought learning from the elders in the family would be a better option. And as I felt I could be better nurtured within the family, I joined the business.

 

Harjinder Singh Kukreja is also known for his entrepreneurial acumen. He spearheaded his family’s venture into giving Ludhiana’s chocolate aficionados the city’s first Belgian Chocolate Cafe, Belfrance Bakers and Chocolatiers, in 2015. The Ambassador of Belgium in India, H.E. Mr Jan Luykx, inaugurated Belfrance in upmarket Ludhiana.

 

Harjinder Singh Kukreja travelled extensively to Belgium and other European nations to seek inspiration and even trained to craft real Belgian chocolate in Brussels to make Belfrance what it is today. Belfrance is famous worldwide for its annual chocolate Ganesha, which has received great reception by Indian and international media for many years.

 

The Sikh Globe Trotter

 

Harjinder Singh Kukreja is also a top-notch travel influencer and an ambassador for outbound tourism from India. The Turkish Tourism Board admires Harjinder‘s clout on social media, and he has been invited several times to Turkey to promote their tourism. He and his family have been hosted several times by Inflow Summits in several regions of Turkey in association with Turkish Airlines. From the UK Tourist Authority to Iran’s unofficial Tourism Board -Feel Iran and several top-level Hotel brands like Hyatt, Ritz-Carlton, Kempinski and Four Seasons have collaborated with Harjinder Singh Kukreja and sought exposure on his social media pages.

 

The world doesn't know that... I want to travel to every single country of the world and become the first Sikh to do so. I wish to visit countries like Iraq, Somalia, Sudan and Syria and also the ones I haven’t visited like Japan, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Norway.

 

Prized possessions can never be things!

 

In my life, my family is my prized possession. Women have played an influential role in my life. Both my paternal and maternal grandmothers, mom and wife are the powerhouses of my life. Everything that I’ve accomplished is because of their inspiring guidance and blessings. I married my wife, Harkirat on 9th November 2010. We are blessed with three beautiful children together.

 

My family is my team. Be it my wife or my dad, my uncles or my children; everyone plays a critical role in my life. Everyone has their own ways of contributing to the person I am today. The birth of each of my three children, Rehras Singh Kukreja, Aad Sach Singh Kukreja and Rut Suhavi Kaur Kukreja are the most extraordinary three moments of my life.

 

A staunch believer in the significance and importance of the family unit for societal progress, Harjinder Singh Kukreja is well-known for being a family man. His social media pages are full of endearing images and videos of his loveable children -Rehras Singh, Aad Sach Singh and Rut Suhavi Kaur.  His wife -Harkirat Kaur Kukreja, whom he proudly introduces as the ‘Sikh Supermom’, is the powerhouse of his life.

 

The stories of one’s ancestors make children, good children

 

The Sikh faith is all about contributing to humanity and my family adheres to that philosophy of Sikhism, which truly inspires me. As a family, we are always ready to make a difference in whatever we can to make the world a better place. Be it educating unprivileged children or financially helping their marriages, we pitch in our own small ways.

 

The teachings of Guru Nanak make me always step ahead to put my best foot forward by contributing after unfortunate natural calamities. I helped many flood-affected people in Jammu & Kashmir and even the victims of Chennai floods. I believe in such times we all, as humanity, must give our services in the form of money, clothes, items of daily needs and food. In one of the efforts to bring equality and humanity together, I organised a Sikh Langar inside Ludhiana’s historical Mosque, Jama Masjid. We welcomed people of other religions and the initiative received accolades from the world over.

 

Harjinder Singh Kukreja has a soft-corner for the Syrian refugees because his grandfather, Randhir Singh Kukreja migrated to India, post the partition as a refugee from Sialkot, which is now in Pakistan. In 2017, Harjinder Singh Kukreja wore the jersey of Ravi Singh’s Khalsa Aid International and flew from Istanbul to Gaziantep in Turkey, merely 80 km from the war-torn Syrian capital, to spend an entire day with Syrian refugees.

 

Punjabi Culture

 

Punjabi culture is of immense importance to me. What really concerns me is how, we, as a group of vibrant and illustrious people, have ignored our Punjabi language. We make conscious efforts that our children converse in Punjabi at home. Punjabi culture is very rich and pure and must be nurtured so that the legacy can continue.

 

Like most Punjabi families, we love food. Sarson da Saag and Makki di Roti in winters and Tandoori Chicken throughout the year are my favourite.

 

Philosophy: Stay true to yourself. Discover your passion and live life full out.

 

Success: THINK: how can you make a difference!

 

I love... travelling, social activism and spending time on Social media.

 

I'd suggest the youth... that the murky business of drugs... is a threat to human life. The blooming drug menace needs to be curtailed before it’s too late.

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