‘A turban With Honor’ gift to Gobind friend

Haydon -A look of typical Majestic Sikh from Punjab

When Gobind was in his senior year at Dougherty Valley High School in San Ramon, California, he once approached me with a thoughtful request. 

Kartik another class fellow of Gobind doing the shoot

One of his Caucasian friends Haydon had taken a deep interest in Sikh traditions and expressed a desire to experience the tying of a turban.

Gobind asked, “Dadaji, can we help him tie a turban the same way?”

I smiled and said, “Yes, why not?”

During the school holidays, his friends Haydon and Kartik came over to our home on Sep14, 2019. I selected a turban from my own collection and carefully folded it—a process we call ‘Poonee’, preparing it for the traditional wrap around the head.

Gobind helped me to do ‘Poonee’

We seated him in our living room, and before beginning, we shared a few words about the significance of the turban. I explained that it is not just a piece of cloth, but a symbol of honour, dignity, and identity. It represents respect—not only for oneself but for the values it stands for. 

Giving respect to the turban is the prime moto.

We told him it must never be thrown on the ground or treated carelessly. It is to be worn and handled with reverence.

Haydon looks really majestic. After the decorated on him.

I then tied the turban on him. He was a tall young man with a broad face, and the turban sat perfectly—majestic and dignified. It suited him beautifully, and everyone present could feel the moment’s meaning.

Before he left, we gifted him that same turban, hoping that one day, he might feel inspired to wear it again. Whether he does or not, the memory remains special—a gesture of respect and friendship, wrapped in tradition and understanding.

My Dastarbandi - Pagri Rasam

In the Sikh religion, the initiation of the turban—wrapping it for the first time—is a significant and sacred event. For me, this special moment took place in 1954, when we bought our house in Jangpura. To mark the occasion, we invited the entire extended family and held an “Akhand Path” - continuous reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Kirtan followed by lavish Langar. It was during this celebration that I had my Pagdi Rasam—the traditional ceremony of tying the turban for the first time.

Pic from Bhatia Studio Sarafa Bazar, Panipat 1955

Alongside me was my cousin Tarlochan (Roop) my uncle’s son, who was a year younger than me. Both of us were initiated into this meaningful tradition together. 

Special deal on Vaisakhi day 1958, Bhatia Studio Sarafa Bazar, Panipat

However, I didn’t start wearing the turban regularly right away. It wasn’t until I turned twelve, and moved up a class of 9th in the Saharan Dharam High School, Panipat, that I began tying the turban regularly.

This is on special Diwali deal Krishna Studio, Halwai Haat Panipat. My friend Roshan Sharma and me wanted one side with one and half eye

In those early days, learning to tie the turban was not easy. I remember one of my close neighbors and friends, Inder Singh, who helped me through the process and guided me with patience. The photo you see above was taken when I was about thirteen years old. I was wearing a printed turban, which was quite fashionable at the time. We didn’t use a fifty (the inner layer or under-turban) back then. 

Historic pic with my Dad Sardar Vasdev Singh. My Mom forced my Dad to get a photo on Sale deal at Bhatia Studio, Sarafa Bazar, Panipat. No fifties are used underneath the turban.

Most people, including my father, my uncles, my cousin, and even Dr. Manmohan Singh former Prime minister of India a stanch Sikh from an earlier era, simply wrapped a well-folded, clean turban cloth directly on their heads without a fifty. That was the common practice—neat, respectful, and full of pride.

Looking back, those early lessons and memories around the turban still stay close to my heart.

Jania makes my Day - A Reward

Jania like this color of turban on me.

As I was passing through the entertainment room the other morning, I caught a heartwarming moment that stayed with me. My eldest granddaughter, Jania, was just heading up the stairs in the hallway. She saw me and cheerfully greeted me with a warm “Sat Sri Akal” and a bright “Good morning.” That simple gesture alone made my day. And then, as she walked past, she glanced at me and said, “Dadaji, you have a nice turban on you today and this color looks good on you.”

That one line felt like the biggest award I could have received.

You see, although I’m now retired, I’ve never let that change how I carry myself. Each morning, I still make it a point to wake up, wash up, and get fully dressed — turban and all. It’s not about vanity. It’s about values. I believe that even in retirement, one should maintain dignity and routine. It sets a tone, especially in a joint family. Our grandchildren watch us — they observe, absorb, and eventually mirror our habits.

Jania secures a safe place between her favorite grandparents.

So, when Jania admired my turban that morning, it wasn’t just a compliment on my appearance — it was confirmation that the message is getting through. That my silent way of teaching through example is beginning to resonate. And for that, I’m truly thankful.

Towards a Smarter, Fairer Farming Future

Rama ji and his family hosted us with fancy lunch when we met in Mumbai in Feb 2025

A close friend Mr V Ramakrishna whom we fondly call Rama ji, sends me a video of a self-driven agricultural tractor — a powerful symbol of how far farming technology has come. It reminded me of where we are, and where we need to go, especially in a country like ours, where farming is both livelihood and legacy.

AI self driven modern tractor.

In India, small and marginal farmers — those with landholdings under 2 hectares — make up 86.2% of all farmers. Yet, they control only a small portion of the total agricultural land. These families form the backbone of our rural economy, but they are also the most vulnerable. The idea of modernizing agriculture through AI and automation is tempting, but we must ensure that such reforms don’t push small farmers off their land. If we allow only the big players to dominate, farming will lose its soul — and its people.

Tractor on job for grading and leveling our barren lands in Badbar

I firmly believe cooperative farming is the way forward. We must cluster small plots into larger operational holdings to increase efficiency and viability. This doesn’t mean displacing anyone — it means working together.

The hill still visible is being graded.

I’ve seen transformation firsthand. Years ago, I made a decision that went against tradition. I sold part of our land to buy a tractor, retiring the old oxen and stopping our dependency on outsourced labor. With the help of a retired fauji Charanjeet Singh — a honest and hardworking — and weekend trips to Badbar with packed food (no dhabas back then!), I worked the land myself. Within three years, land that had been barren for four decades bloomed again. That experience taught me that meaningful change comes when you combine courage, faith, and hands-on effort.

Feeling proud and positive 

I’m ready to adopt new technology again — and if with my cousins (we still have 300 acres all consolidated) are willing, I’d love for us to move ahead together. Though well-educated, many of us remain stuck in outdated methods, as if still farming in Akbar’s time. It’s time we changed that, not by abandoning tradition, but by evolving it.

Our families having lunch together on Feb 17, 2025

Dear Rama ji, I know I’m speaking from the heart, and maybe I’m getting emotional. But you’re close enough to me that I can say it honestly: this land, this work, this change — it matters deeply to me. And I’m proud of what God has enabled me to do so far. Thanks for your sweet reminder!

A Harvest to Remember With Shiv and My Dad – Badbar, 1976

This is how wheat was crushed and blown by God’s winds to separate grain from stalks.

Wheat harvesting has come a long way—from the sweat and skill of manual labor to the speed and precision of mechanized tools. Back then, threshers were a significant innovation, easing the burden of separating grain from stalks. 

Present days Harvesting Combines.

Now of course the whole produce in the farm of ready grains is done through Harvesting Combines. The job which used to take 2/3 months has been reduced to 2/3 days for a 50 Acre farm land.

Wheat being stalked manually for thrashing.

Golden fields ready for harvesting.

It was the year 1976 when we visited Badbar during the harvest season. The fields were alive with joy and motion. The workers were cheerful, moving rhythmically and proudly with the work of their hands. They had begun on Vaisakhi, April 13th—a day already steeped in significance—and that year, it carried the energy of abundance and celebration.

Shiv in the Lap of my Dad Sardar Vasdev Singh in Apr 1976 standing near a tractor thrasher in our fields in Badbar, Punjab.

I vividly recall my father, then about 57 years old, standing tall and content near his workers, cradling little Shiv—still a toddler—in his lap. There was something timeless about that moment: a father, a child, the land, and its people bound together in tradition and toil.

Harvinder proudly in the midst of golden ripe wheat produce.

The grains ripe into golden yellow.

Finally the produce reaches the Grain Market Badbar, making me the happiest person in the world.

I captured that precious scene in a photograph—a historic picture etched not just in an album, but in memory. That frame holds more than just faces; it holds a feeling, a legacy. It deserves to be recorded and remembered.

7 Powerful Lessons for a Meaningful Life

1️⃣ Be aware of what can divide us:

Even the strongest bonds can break due to wealth, power, or land.

Never let material things come between your relationships.

2️⃣ Don’t wait — act now:

Time, death, and opportunity (the customer) wait for no one.

What you can do today, don’t postpone for tomorrow.

3️⃣ Treasure what comes only once:

You get only one mother, father, and youth.

Respect your parents and make the best use of your youthful energy — it won’t come again.

4️⃣ Always hold on to life’s truths:

Truth, duty, and death — these are certain.

Live truthfully, fulfill your responsibilities, and remember life is precious.

5️⃣ Protect your inner wealth:

No one can steal your wisdom, character, or skills.

Nurture them, because they are your true assets.

6️⃣ Choose your words and actions wisely:

An arrow once shot, a word once spoken, and a life once gone can never return.

Speak with care, act with responsibility, and value every moment.

7️⃣ Never forget whom to honor:

Always respect your mother, father, and teacher —

They are the pillars who shape your life and future.

Gobind’s Friend Bohan And Parents Visit Us

Gobind and Bohan

Gobind is finally back after completing his four years of graduation, earning degrees in both Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of California, Davis. Both of these subjects are quite heavy-loaded, and he had been so busy that he often avoided coming home to visit us. So, we decided instead to visit him at his apartment, where he was living with two of his fellow students.

Kids enjoying summer fun with  party all the times.

Now, there’s a joyful atmosphere all around our house. Jania has also returned home after finishing her freshman year program, and Geet is on summer vacation too. The house is full of chatter, laughter, and lively commotion. The kids sleep late—sometimes till noon—before finally waking up and heading straight for lunch. The house feels full again, and I savor these moments.

Gobind and Bohan family pic.

We were also informed that Gobind’s close friend, Bohan—a Chinese international student—would be visiting him at our house along with his family. Bohan’s parents had traveled all the way from China to meet him after four long years—the entire duration of his studies in the U.S. Since they were allowed only one child due to China’s one-child policy, Bohan, being their only son, is especially precious to them.

Bohan’s Dad Ted and Shiv introducing each other.

Bohan translating and softly telling what is conversing here?

When they arrived, instead of taking them to the formal living room, we led them to our cozy family room. 

Enjoying home made Indian food.

Both his parents looked like a smart, gentle, middle-aged couple. We soon learned that Bohan’s father Ted spoke English quite well, as he worked for a garment company that dealt with European countries. 

Two moms glittering with happiness without exchange of even a single word.

His mother, though she couldn’t speak English, radiated happiness and warmth at meeting her son’s best friend’s family. Whenever we conversed, Bohan softly translated into his mother’s ear so she wouldn’t feel left out.

Gobind helping Bohan’s Mom with an Indian serving.

As they settled in, I decided to make a small effort to connect. Smiling, I greeted them with a simple “Nǐ hǎo!” — Hello in Mandarin. Bohan mother’s face instantly lit up with joy and surprise. She seemed truly impressed and touched. My quick crash course from YouTube had paid off! It was a small gesture, but it brought warmth into the room immediately.

A beautiful packaged gift for Gobind

Then, to our pleasant surprise, both of Bohan’s parents presented precious gifts for our family. 

Outcomes beautiful handwritten Buddhist sacred sermons wall hanging.

Bohan explaining how diligently his mother had written Buddhist sacred sermons for Gobind



Gobind and Shiv are thrilled to learn the sacred Buddhist sermons.

For Gobind, his mother had personally written Blessings of Buddha in her beautiful handwriting, carefully wrapped in elegant packaging — a heartfelt keepsake. 

Bohan unwraps a beautiful traditional red colored silken scarf specially brought by his Mom for Shilpy.



Bohan unfolds to show the scarf.

For Shilpy, she gifted a graceful silken scarf, and for Shiv, a thoughtful herbal decorative piece meant to help with allergies. 

The herbal collections in small parcels for Shiv.



Bohan’s parents trying to explain how these special herbs help you to fight allergies.



Shiv is carefully packing it back to the delight of Bohan’s Mom.

Their kindness and thoughtfulness deeply touched us.

For lunch, we served homemade Indian food, lovingly prepared by Harvinder. She demonstrated how to eat the Indian way with fingers, which fascinated our guests. At first, they took tiny portions, but soon they were asking for more chapatis — a small but lovely compliment to Harvinder’s cooking.

Bohan is destined to join Massachusetts Institute of Technology this fall for pursuing his PhD.

During lunch, I had a light-hearted conversation with Bohan. I mentioned that now, since he had already secured admission to MIT for his PhD program in Machine Learning, things were beautifully falling into place. Bohan had chosen MIT, Boston, partly because Gobind would also be moving there for his new job — where he had interned last year.

Bohan, Gobind and other celebrated awardees mingling with each other after the Award ceremony of Department of Mathematics, UC, Davis.

Then, with a smile, I couldn’t resist teasing him. I asked, “In all these four years, Bohan, you never found yourself a nice girl?” Bohan chuckled and replied, “I have been so busy with my studies; I didn’t have time to get involved with any girls.” I laughed and told him that was exactly what Gobind had said to me too. Perhaps that’s one reason they have grown so close — both focused, disciplined, and sharing similar values.

Gobind cutting a joke with Dada ji.

I am glad that Gobind had followed the advice I once gave him: In school or college, your first priority should be to make friends with someone who excels in studies, who is a topper. Stay close to them, and their good habits will reflect on you. Whether he consciously followed it or not, I see how beautifully it has worked. Both Gobind and Bohan are not only brilliant academically but have become sincere, loyal friends.

Visit to Winery in Livermore was freshening.

Later that day, Gobind took Bohan and his parents for a short tour — visiting a nearby winery and the San Francisco Primary Outlets. The day was capped off with a gala Indian dinner — sumptuous and filling — with everyone enjoying the warmth of good food, laughter, and newfound friendships across cultures.

San Francisco Premier Outlets for high end exclusive brands during Christmas.

As I reflected on the day, my heart was full. How small gestures, thoughtful gifts, and genuine friendships can build bridges across countries and cultures! With these comforting thoughts, I quietly said to myself: Bye, for now.