8 Jun, 2012 08:18 AM
SERVING OTHERS: Queen's Service Medal recipient Davinder Singh Rahal loves working within the community.
Davinder Singh Rahal has busy hands and they've just earned him a mark of distinction.
The Manukau restaurant owner has been awarded a Queen's Service Medal in the Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee honours list for his services to the Indian community.
Since emigrating to New Zealand in 1988, Mr Rahal has helped establish the Supreme Sikh Council of New Zealand among other groups and set up Sikh gurudwara (temples) in South Auckland.
But it's the work he does as the chairman of the New Zealand Helping Hand Society – a charitable group that puts food in homes – that the qualified chef is most proud of.
"We're giving food to people in need, forgotten people who no one comes to meet.
"When we help these people you can see the tears in their eyes because they are so thankful. These sorts of things make me proud. I say: `Yes, I have served and now someone can sleep better'."
Being named in the honours list has made him very proud, he says, but his dream is to continue doing the work he loves where it's needed.
"This is an honour I accept with respect but this is not my achievement. My achievement is to continue doing what I do and do it even better."
It's also a tribute he shares with his wife of 21 years, Jyoti Rahal for her continuous support and with their three children Moheet, 19, Roshni, 16, and Jai, 11.
Mr Rahal reckons his biggest claim to fame was cooking six tonnes of Indian food in 24 days for the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games village – a feat that got him on national television.
Now he's full of ideas for community well-being and health, especially for the elderly, like providing them with trainee hairdressers, free day trips and home health management systems that help them record their vital signs.
"The old people get their haircut and trainees get some experience ... we can't spend money everywhere but if there was someone willing to help I'd pick up the volunteers.
"I'm not a big man but I've got a big heart."
When he first arrived in New Zealand 24 years ago the perception of Indian immigrants wasn't kind, Mr Rahal says.
But – using food as an analogy – he says society's changing its tastes.
"People have perceptions without trying things. They say: `Oh, it's that food – I dont like it' but once they try it they realise what they've been missing.
"To me it's the same with culture and understanding. Once we understand each other, things can go well and we're more accepting through better understanding."
Reference Link: https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/7064608/Champion-of-forgotten-folk
Story By: ADRIAN EVANS
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