Family Time in Punjab

I just met my new family and friends in Punjab and received the warmest welcome from everyone.

Introducing from the city of Adampur:

Bhuaji – Bob’s Dad’s ‘older sister’ and head of the family. We stay with Bhuaji in her home and she rolls out the red carpet. She is teaching me the ways of making roti and how to spice Punjabi food. I admire the way she embraces different religions and practices elements of each one.

Chachiji – Bob’s Dad’s younger brother’s wife (younger sister) who has the warmest heart and most beautiful smile. Even though I cannot speak Punjabi (yet) we communicate with great ease. This woman is resilient, strong and walks the path of an angel.

Gagan – Bob’s little cousin who is ten years younger to the day and Chachiji’s son. He attends college in Jhalander and is studying computer science. A dedicated student, genuine friend and little joker, Gugan helps his family and loves to laugh.

Charanjit – Bob’s best friend that he’s known since he was ten years old. What an incredible character who can talk your ear off but only in Punjabi even though he knows English very well. He is generous, thoughtful and dreams of making a life as a truck driver in Canada. He has toured Bob and I all over Punjab and HP and he would not hesitate to give you the shirt off his back. He is now my friend and Punjabi teacher.

The Doc and Sunny – Charanjit’s best friends. The Doc works at the hospital in Jhalander and Sunny is training in the hotel biz as his family owns a couple of properties in Canada. Sunny and Charanjit were featured with their red hot rod jeep in a Punjabi music video as part of the hero and villain groups.

Auntie & Uncle – Charanjit’s parents always have an open door. Their hospitality and friendly smiles put you at ease. Auntie facilitated some ‘mendie’ for me, henna designs on both palms that made me smile every time I looked at the intricate details.

Aman – Charanjit’s younger sister. A shy beauty of 25 who studies hard at computer science and speaks perfect English. She misses her older sister greatly who now lives in Mississauga with her new husband, five year old daughter and husband’s family. She hopes one day to move to Canada as well.

Chacha – Bob’s Dad’s younger brother (cousin brother). A successful businessman who runs an organization similar to Rona. His wife and daughter live in Hyderabad as the daughter is in training for her new job in the IT industry. Mom lives there as well to look after their daughter. Imagine this cultural aspect in Canada.

Vijay – Bob’s cousin who worked as a software engineer in the IT industry in Bangalore is now studying for his Masters in Chandigarh. He is applying to graduate schools in Canada and the US and will find out if he is accepted in the spring. His kindness, charm and intelligence is most becoming and it’s a pleasure to hang out with him.

And from the surrounding villages:

Maserji & Massiji – Bob’s Dad’s mom’s sister and her husband (also the sister of Bhuaji’s father). They are the sweetest old couple who live a simple life working the fields. Their children are married and live in the cities. They reside in the same village that Bob’s Dad is from, Nadlon and look after Bob’s Dad’s family home that has been recently reconstructed.

Bhuaji - Bob’s Poppa’s sister. I could see the family resemblance and she was so happy that Bob came for a visit. She had not seen him in so many years but instantly recognized his face.

Massiji - Bob’s mom’s sister. Once again, her eyes lit up as she saw Bob. She was happy to meet me as well. Of course, everyone wants to know when we are getting married.

And there is more family in the villages that we have yet to meet. We vow to return each year as we appreciate the lifestyle and the people. Perhaps we’ll organize a project to benefit the children of this area or get involved with an NGO. Whatever the case, it’s wonderful to meet my new family in Punjab and become a part of this world.