Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi believes people have adopted western culture and have started living in nuclear families, leaving their parents behind, but he stressed that they should not be forgotten as their blessing is very important.
Speaking on the occasion of National Parents Day, which is observed on July 28, he said, “We are seeing nuclear families, at least in major metros. We kind of adapt to western culture, thinking that we need to be more free. But I believe that the blessing of parents is very important.”
“If you can manage to stay with your parents, it is only going to help you, because I believe I see God and my parents, and I believe their blessings are always very important. They are the people who will probably guide you and be with you through all your troubles. On National Parents Day, we remember them, but we should always remember them and make a point of reaching out to them, irrespective of our busy schedule,” he added.
He stressed that parents look forward to hearing from their children, and if they are staying with them, they are definitely the lucky ones. He also pointed out that speaking to parents, even if they are far away, has become so easy.
“You can do a video call so that, you know, we all just want to see our children once a day, and that makes us happy. I ensure that I call my daughters, do a facetime call with them, and once I see them and speak to them, most of the time, it takes less than a minute, and that makes me happy,” he said.
Chef Harpal also feels it’s important that children look at their parents enjoying their lives and ensure that they are adapting to new technology. “They believe that now their life is almost over, so why learn new things? So it is the children’s job to ensure that they are technologically updated. And you help them achieve that. Sitting with them and watching a movie together makes everybody feel happy, especially the parents,” he said.
He also shared that parents can have a friendly approach to children, but they should always be parents. “Because you are a parent, you are a mother, and you are a father to your child. So you need to be like that. I mean, you can behave like a friend by reaching out closely to them and probably communicating with them the way they feel comfortable. But at the same time, you should not forget the ethics, values, and the way they speak to you because it’s very important,” he said.
“Whenever he or she meets any elderly person, parents, or friends, her behavior and approach towards them will be the way they have behaved with their own mother and father, so for the parents, it’s important that the culture, ethics, and communication be taught in a way that is carried forward in the best possible manner,” he added.
He believes that because of the competition and peer pressure that children go through, parents try to become friends. “I believe that you should remain a parent with a friendly approach to them so that communication is not distorted and they speak out all their problems so that back-and-forth communication can help the child grow better and better,” he said.
Talking about his relationship with his parents, he said, “With my mother, we could share everything, but with my father, it was always a little stricter. My father would be in one room, and I would be in the other room. If he comes to my room, I will step out of it. I would say that although my father still remains the pillar of strength in my life, he communicates very little with me. But those words used to be very strong, and he would always probably be a mentor and guide to me with very few words spoken,” he said.
What advice do you have for the current younger generation? “The youngsters should not forget that a parent is always a parent, and he or she would get the first and only support, mostly in life, from their parents. They feel your pain; they feel the way you are crafting. They are the people who will be your guide and mentor all throughout your life. So I believe, do not let the outside world forget the ethics and culture that we have in our country,” he ended.
