Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, says his father has been his biggest cheerleader and mentor. Speaking on the occasion of Father’s Day, which will be observed on June 16, he said, “When anyone asks me who has been your kind of guide, philosopher, and mentor, I always mention that my father and mother were the best mentors for me, especially my father. He would keep quiet, but he would subtly say certain things that would be very impactful.”
“He would build guidance. He himself was a very strong pillar, and the source of light for many people, whether it was at work or whether it was in the family or the extended family. And those learnings I have been carrying forward. I also treat and create that aura for my extended family as how I can be helpful to others, how I can reach out to people to help them in every aspect so that the kind of reflection of my father is always there in some way or another,” he added.
Speaking more about his father, he said that he taught him to work hard, and work on the principle that there is no shortcut to life. He mentioned that he taught him that working hard and smart was one of the ways to excel in life.
He added, “He also taught me to be a clean, neat, respectful, and straightforward person. He would not tolerate lies in any form from all of us as children. And that is what was very important for us. And I carry all those principles as much as I can.”
Speaking about their bond, he said it was like any other small town father-son relationship. He said, “Like, he would come to one room, and I would go to the other. Sometimes he would make me stand in front of him and he would explain, but he would always want me to excel.”
He added, “He would always come across as a friendly character to us, and that is what was important. And that’s how I remember him. Being the youngest in the family, he would always take me along to the markets and various places. And that love I always saw amongst all the four siblings I got the most of that love.”
Chef Harpal also believes that fathers are a little less expressive because they carry the burden of the family on them. Speaking of his father, he said, “He likes to keep everything within himself as much as he can and ensure that the family is not affected in any way. He would be carrying the entire burden, and we as children would not know only that he is in trouble or that he is having pain. And that is what is seen across most of the parents, and especially the father. They’re less expressive and less vocal.”
Sharing a personal experience, he said that while he was doing hotel management and he saw him working and cleaning utensils, he never said anything to him, but did tell his mother that if he doesn’t like his job, he can quit and find a better job.
“I respected that. But, you know, I kind of just had to tell him that you need to have patience and be with me in this struggle so that I can grow and rise in life in my profession,” Chef Harpal ended.
