Salinder Singh Grewal
Salinder Singh Grewal, pouplerly known as Shinda Bai in Germany, where he lives near Germany
Switzerland border, was born in Punjab, India. He was a truck driver in the year 1984. He was carrying goods
from Calcutta to Pune when riots following the assassination of Prime minster Mrs. Indra Gandhi, took
place and spread in various parts of the country. Salinder Singh was shocked to see the bias of the people
against Sikhs without any fault of theirs. He himself had to stay for ten days at Huzoor Sahib, Nanded for
his safty. All the events that followed in Punjab after 1984 made Salinder Singh sad and upset. He had even
to sacrifice Sikh identity as he had to drive the truck at different places. However, he was not happy to do
this. He made up his mind to leave the country. In 1991 he shifted to Germany and gradually settled there.
his business of selling Pizzas. After some years, his Pizza shop became very popular and he earned a lot of
money.
He not only purchased a palatial house with an attached farm house, but, also a bullet motor cycle
to full fill his long cherished desire. He also purchased a similar type of truck as he was driving in India
and parked it as a show piece for memory. He flew Kesri Flags on his truck and Bullet motorcycle. He was
determind now to do soming concrte for his community. He restored his own Sikh identity and drove the
bullet with his turban on his head. When, an action was taken against him for violating the halmet wearing
rule, he fought a legal battle and won the case. He got the law amended in favour of Sikhs and now any Sikh
after taking permission need not wear a halmet and can drive a bullet/motor cycle with his turban. This
action on his part made him a role model among the Sikhs all over the world. Further, he started helping
all the Sikhs who were in any problem or deficulty. For example, when he came to know that a Sikh youth,
in a German Jail has lost his mental balance, he hired an advocate, fought his case and got him rescued
from the Jail. As this Sikh young man was unable to tell anything about his past, he maintained him at his
residence for 9 years. He made all efforts to collect information about him and then made arrangements for
his safe return to his people. Shinda Bai also takes care of the young Punjabies who come to Gemany for
their livelihood. He started making small films and put it on the youtube with the tittle ‘Sikh in Germay’.
Some of these films guide the young Sikhs to help in their living. For example one of such films relates to
repairing and maintaining a motorcle at a low cost. Some of the films are also meant to give information
regarding certain Sikhs living there, Sikh religion and Religious and cultural events. For example S. Salinder
Singh visited Switzerland Gurdwara (close to his house across the border) to meet a swiss who is converted
to Sikhism named Joban Singh. His interview taken by Salinder Singh clearly shows that he takes a lot of
interest in his religion and the people of his community. He is really a role model for all of them.