The pain is that I could not continue Volleyball

One of my father’s friends, Kewal Dass, often visited us from Germany. I had grown up listening to the praises of Germany – about discipline, infrastructure and home of Mercedes and BMW – so I migrated to Germany in 1985 with plans of studying economics. Germany was better than a police job, I had thought.

From Kewal Dass uncle’s brother, I learnt that he too had studied economics in Germany for six years but ended up working in a restaurant. I never wanted to waste six precious years of my life, so I learnt German and started looking for work. I welcomed every job that came my way. There were times when things were difficult and money earned was not enough, but I never shared my worries with my parents back home. I knew what they would say: that it was my decision! I continued to work hard with full dedication.

During my trip to India in 1989, I was hurt to see people sleeping on the footpaths in Chandigarh or travelling on the roofs of buses and trains, something that had never bothered me while I lived in India. I was hit internally now. When I shared this with Dad, he looked very happy. “You are a changed man now,” he said, “a grown-up man. Now whatever you do, it will be good.” His words became my inspiration and no sooner did I step back in Germany, I asked Rupinder and Sarabjeet to join me.

In the past six years I had stayed in Germany, I had changed 36 jobs, working in various departments of various restaurants. So in 1990, I decided to start my restaurant.

We opened Taj Mahal in 1992 in Hannover. The name was given to connect it with India and love. Luckily, the name attracted not only Indians but people of other ethnicities too. On Valentine’s day, there was a huge crowd, so much so that we had to work in three shifts to meet the demand.

Learning minute things of the hospitality business, we decided to begin a new branch of our restaurant. My brothers joined same business and we opened a new restaurant in 2003 in Dortmund with the same name.

The true meaning of life is in finding love

In 1998, I met Jaswinder through some of our relatives. She was born in 1977 and studied BCom . Few of her qualities attracted me a lot and we liked each other. Her power lies in her calmness. In presence of all our elders, we tied the knot on 10 October 1999.

With Jaswinder by my side now, I felt more energetic and passionate in my work; as if I was 10 years younger now! She took care of our home and helped me in the restaurant business too. Once our sons, Amrinder and Tanvir, were born, she spent most of her time raising them. With hard work and dedication, my brothers and I were able to open seven Taj Mahal restaurants in Germany, but the fact that I could not help my wife much raising the kids is always there at the back of my mind. Most of the people in this line are not happy because of the same reason, so I sent my sons to study in England and don’t wish them to join this business. Amrinder and Tanvir are studying now. Tanvir also played Football World Cup (U16) for England in August 2019 in Göteburg (Sweden).

So much do we achieve but nobody’s life can be just perfect. When my tumour was diagnosed, I breathed again because of my

family’s love and support. My friend, whom I consider my elder brother, Sanjeev Gupta, also supported me a lot. After recovery and all good now, I spend a lot of my time in social service.

Our doors for the people who do not have anyone here in Germany are always open. Once a young boy came from India for his treatment and stayed with us for a month. We went to meet him in India after his recovery. He introduced me to his village people as his Godfather. My heart melted that day for so much love and respect given by him and I was in tears.

I joined Indian Oversees Congress of which I was the Chairman for 15 years, and have sponsored wedding of 51 couples till now, provided free medicine and sports equipment in orphanages. With this organisation, I also have plans to help people in Africa. I am now a member of European Board of IOC. I have arranged Congress rallies in Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne. When I met Rahul Gandhi, I shared my opinion with him that our priority should be providing health education, medical and good quality of food affordable for every Indian. Providing hygienic for the country is a sewa in itself.