Harjinder Singh (Kukreja)

Harjinder Singh Kukreja
Born (1986-09-10) 10 September 1986
Patna City, Bihar
Residence Ludhiana
Nationality Indian
Occupation Businessman, Social Worker
Religion Sikhism
Spouse(s) Harkirat kaur (m. 2010)
Children Rehras Singh
Aad Sach Singh
Parent(s) Jarnail Singh Kukreja (Father)
Devender Jeet Kaur (Mother)

Harjinder Singh Kukreja (Punjabi: ਹਰਜਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਕੁਕਰੇਜਾ) is a businessman and social activist from North Indian city Ludhiana. After birth at ‘Patna City, Bihar', his family moved to 'Ludhiana, Punjab'. He is trustee of world famous religious and social NGO (Non Profit Organization) 'Basics of Sikhi'. In the world of food outlets and eatables, his bakeries 'Belfrance' and 'Hot Breads', are the regions favourite brands. Harjinder Singh Kukreja is also the franchise owner of the first ever 'The Yellow Chilli' restaurant by chef Sanjeev Kapoor. Harjinder Singh Kukreja helped create a massive awareness and was able to garner donation by organising a collection drive after the J&K Flood.

Personal Detail

Harjinder Singh Kukreja was born on 10 September 1986 at Sri Patna Sahib, Bihar, India. He got his education from St. George's College, Mussoorie, India. He married to Harkirat Kaur on 9 November 2010. He is having two sons with name Rehras Singh and Aad Sach Singh.

Business

In the world of food outlets and eatables, his bakeries 'Belfrance' and 'Hot Breads', are famous brands of the Punjab region. In 1998, his father Jarnail Singh Kukreja and his brother Satinder Singh Kukreja were pioneers in innovative bakery and confectionery.[1] Harjinder SinghKukreja is also the first ever franchisee owner of 'The Yellow Chilli' restaurant. His recent venture, Belfrance Bakers and Chocolatiers was launched by the Belgian Ambassador in India. His bakery, Hot Breads was also the first brand in Ludhiana to introduce the concept of delivering cakes at home and cakes' catering in Ludhiana. In 1999, more variety, apart from cakes and breads were added to the Hot Breads. Thus it started offering French and Italian delicious as well.

Social Works

Harjinder Singh Kukreja is always actively engaged in social work. He always contributes to the society whenever needed. He gave his services in the form of money, eatables, daily needs, clothes etc. as relief material for the people suffering from the problems like Floods, Earthquake or Tsunami etc. Harjinder Singh Kukreja helped the people affected in the floods in Jammu and Kashmir in 2014.[2] He also motivated the city people to do so. Recently, Harjinder Singh Kukreja provided services to the victims of Chennai floods. Being the chairman of NGO 'Basics of Sikhi'. Harjinder Singh Kukreja invited the Shahi Imam along with people of other religions for a 'Langar' at 'Jama Masjid, Ludhiana' spreading the message of equality and unity instead of religious, colour or nation differences.

Skydiving in France

Harjinder Singh Kukreja took a leap of faith in St Kilda, a suburb of Melbourne, skydiving from 14000 feet in the name of religious freedom.[3] He is the first person to jump from a plane wearing a Turban. The turban, is a mandatory requirement for Sikh men, which was banned in government schools and workplaces in France. This idea by him was to create awareness and to raise the voice.

Langar at Jama Mosque

In October 2015, Harjinder Singh Kukreja contributed beautifully in making a common platform for the people from various caste, religion and region. Sikh Press Association (SPA) and the Basics of Sikhi succeeded to have an incident which was held at the old building of Jama Mosque, in the streets of Field Ganj in Ludhiana. This place witnessed an unusual scene which was: A Hindu priest, P D Shukla, in saffron robes and a rudraksh mala in hand, was going around the mosque premises, asking people if they have had a proper meal. So was Manpreet Singh, a church pastor, as some Sikhs served food in the mosque’s verandah. The langar was prepared in the community kitchen on the rooftop of the mosque. Close to 400 people — madrasa children, some Sikhs and labourer, too — were served food.[4] It was the first incident of its kind to bringing people together and to promote communal harmony by the 'Basics of Sikhi' Having Harjinder Singh Kukreja as its trustee.

SMS drive

Harjinder Singh Kukreja is also the creator of the world's largest SMS blog - Sikhi Messaging Service - blogging by sending bulk SMS.[5] For the last many years, since he started SMS blogging, Harjinder Singh Kukreja has been sending messages to inspire, celebrate and warn Sikh youths. He has sent SMS of Gurbani, and messages against female feticide, dowry and other social evils. The latest fight is against drug trade in Punjab. "The murky business of drugs in Punjab is a threat to human life. The blooming drug menace needs to be curtailed before it's too late," reads an SMS that Harjinder Singh Kukreja sent to 1,17,455 Sikh youths across India.

Helping people affected by floods

Harjinder Singh Kukreja always comes forward to help the people who lost their houses and earnings in the floods. He helped people who got damaged by the floods at Jammu and Kashmir, at Chennai floods in 2012 and 2014 as well. Harjinder Singh Kukreja uses to provide clothes, food and other daily needs to the affected people. He also inspires the city people to do so. Special stalls were also installed on the footsteps of his resort and bakery where anyone willing to help the needy families could donate money or anything of its choice. This comes to the limelight because of uniqueness. People got so much of inspiration and donated a lot with open hearts.

References

  1. ↑ "Hot Bread, Sweet Success". Times of India. 4 July 2012.
  2. ↑ "Now , a rice & pulse bucket challenge for J&K flood-hit". Times of India. 10 September 2012.
  3. ↑ "Turbaned sikh man skydives from 14,000ft for religious freedom". Sikh24.com. 16 January 2015.
  4. ↑ "Langar held in mosque: ‘World hunger is a big issue’". Indian Express. 12 October 2015.
  5. ↑ "Bulk SMSes to fight drug abuse". India Times. 7 September 2011.

"Hot Bread, 'Sweet Success'" (Press release). Yes Punjab. Retrieved 2012-07-04. 

"Jammu & Kashmir Flood" (Press release). Yes Punjab. Retrieved 2014-09-10. 

"Langar in Jama Masque" (Press release). Yes Punjab. Retrieved 2015-10-15. 

"SMS Drive" (Press release). Yes Punjab. Retrieved 2011-10-07. 

"Vote and get rebate at restaurants" (Press release). Times of India. Retrieved 2014-03-11. 

"old memories" (Press release). Tribune India. Retrieved 2012-09-03. 

External links

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