POWERHOUSE GLOBAL MAGAZINE (PGMAG) INTERVIEW WITH: MRS BUBBLES KANDHARI (BK

Bubbles Kandhari was born in 1951, educated in India and graduated with honors in Economics, Statistics and Politics from Elphinstone College, Mumbai. In 1976, she along with her spouse and two children came to Dubai to grow the family business and formed the Al Dobowi Group.

PGMAG: Thank you for this great opportunity to interview you today. It is indeed an honour.

BK: Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity and honour to be amongst you all and sharing my views.

PGMAG: From our research we discovered that you are one woman with a very powerful influence in the world. A woman who took on project that would have seemed ‘impossible’ to achieve, yet was able to defy all odds and brought the project to reality. Please tell us; who is Mrs Bubbles Kandhari?

BK: Bubbles Kandhari is the Vice Chairperson of Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara Dubai, UAE; Director of Al Dobowi Group, Dubai; Chairperson, Young Hearts Group & Dubai Ladies Group in Dubai.

Bubbles Kandhari was born in 1951, educated in India and graduated with honors in Economics, Statistics and Politics from Elphinstone College, Mumbai. In 1976, she along with her spouse and two children came to Dubai to grow the family business and formed the Al Dobowi Group. Her Vision is to grow into educating underprivileged children, promoting interfaith to bring peace and harmony in the world. The CSR and Philanthropic activities undertaken so far by her are teaching children on spirituality, Kirtan & Gurmukhi, Organising free Medical camps on Friday, Donating food packets to labour camps thru NGO’s every month & Education for www.powerhouseglobalmag.comwww.powerhouseglobalmag.com

www.powerhouseglobalmag.com underprivileged children. Her biggest inspiration came from reading books on and of Guru Nanak Devji, Khalil Gibran, meeting Mother Theresa, inspired her into giving back to society and help her grow spiritually.

PGMAG: As the ViceChairperson of the largest Sikh Temple in the Middle East and the second of its kind in the World, how does it feel to be in such a powerful position as a woman?

BK: I am grateful to God Almighty who gave me the opportunity to serve and do SEWA.

When I moved to Dubai with Surender in the mid 1970’s, the Sikh community was about 1,000 strong, in stark contrast to the 50,000 Sikhs in the UAE today. Private homes in Dubai weren’t big enough to accommodate mass gatherings year after year. The slow but steady rise over the years prompted Surender and his fellow community leaders to look out for a larger space for worship of the Guru Granth Sahib, the central religious scripture in Sikhism. But it wasn’t an easy journey to build a place of worship in a foreign land. Mrs Bubbles with Lady Anita at the Gurunank DarbarTemple

We are indebted to His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice president and Prime minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai who donated the land and encouraged us to make the Gurudwara – which is the greatest symbol of the inter-faith-respect and regard for another. This gesture has been appreciated not only by the Sikhs of Dubai but by Sikhs all over the world. This magnanimous gesture has put a firm seal on a relationship which goes back hundreds of years.

When I moved to Dubai with Surender in the mid 1970’s, the Sikh community was about 1,000 strong, in stark contrast to the 50,000 Sikhs in the UAE today.

Records titles for “Serving Continental Breakfast to Most Nationalities (101) in 2017 and “Distribution of largest number of saplings (2083)” in 2018

Mrs Bubbles with Lady Anita

Today, I feel proud to say Guru Nanak Darbar has become the symbol of Sikh religious worship in the UAE. Thousands of pilgrims as well as people from other religions from across the UAE visit the Gurudwara. It has also become a must-visit tourist place for tour groups from India and UK. The Gurudwara has 35 full time staffs and dozens of volunteers who help organize events during festive times. It serves 10,000 vegetarian meals every Friday, and about 1,000 daily during the week to people who visit the Gurudwara regardless of their religion or race.

Guru Nanak Darbar Dubai is the first Gurudwara in the world to receive ISO Certifications for following management areas : • ISO 9000 - Quality Management Standard • ISO 14000 - Environmental Management Standard • ISO 18000 - Occupational Health and Safety Management Standard • ISO 22000 - Food Safety Management Standard It has a consistent excellent review from Tripadvisor website recognizing Gurudwara Dubai as an awardee of “Certificate of Excellence for Superior Service” and making it the most photographed Gurudwara in the world. Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing has included Guru Nanak Darbar in its list of attractions and establishments found in Dubai. Guru Nanak Darbar is also featured in the Dubai Tourism website

PGMAG: What compelled you and your husband (Surender Singh Kandhari) to take on such an enormous task of building the second largest Sikh Temple in the world?

BK: It was a God sent opportunity and a message from Surender’s grandfather when he was 8 years old to serve the community.

Infact, the only religious institution in the world to get all 4 levels of ISO Certification. It has won two Guinness World It all started more than 58 years ago when his grandfather Atma Singh helped build a Gurudwara in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, in 1956. www.powerhouseglobalmag.com

Lady Anita with Mr and Mrs Kandhari at the Emirate Golf Club in Dubai. And also, Soniya Singh

His grandfather wished that one day his grandson would also help build a Gurudwara too. Though at that time Mr. Kandhari was surprised but now he feels that all it was all destined to be so. something about it and along with other prominent members of the Sikh & Sindhi community in the UAE spearheaded the community’s efforts to build a place of Sikh’s worship in Dubai.

The idea of the Gurudwara germinated 13 years ago when there was a growing need of a proper place of worship for the Sikhs. In his words a Gurudwara is not just the house of God but is the life force that ties the whole Sikh community together. He decided to do

PGMAG: How would you describe your style of leadership?

BK: I lead from the front. I first serve, take charge, set an example and let my team grow under my leadership. I take charge, lead my teammates and accomplish the mission. When your team members trust your leadership and they follow your footsteps, you have an overwhelming sense of comfort.

We all work as one family.

PGMAG: As a community leader what are the four keys of leading successfully?

BK: • Effective Communicator • Being Accountable And Responsible

• • Commitment Innovation Creating Lasting Relationships.

PGMAG: How do you create work/life balance amidst your busy schedule?

BK: Compartment style living. Prioritising the work and doing it diligently.

PGMAG: As a woman with an extensive leadership and business experience, what would you suggest to someone who is struggling to find their voice in the global market?

BK: First of all; Be sincere to yourself. Work sincerely and diligently. Learn to serve, share and respect others. Do not be bogged down by difficulties that may come your way.

I follow the three main principles of Sikhism 1) Naam Japna – Practice meditation and constantly be immersed in appreciation of the Creator. The One Eternal God – Waheguru as we call Him. 2) Kirat Karni – to honestly earn by ones physical and mental effort while accepting both pains and pleasures as GOD’s gifts and blessings. Make honest and truthful living and keep 10% of it for charity. 3) Vand Chakna – Share and consume together. Sharing and giving is an important message from Guru Nanak Devji.

PGMAG: If you were invited to address World leaders at a congress, what would be your message to such powerful audience?

BK: My biggest inspiration came from reading books on and of Guru Nanak, meeting Mother Theresa and Dalai Lama and to some extent Osho inspired me into doing something and giving back to society and help me grow spiritually.

BK: We are but visitors on this planet, during this phase we must do something good, something useful with our lives. Treat people the way you want them to treat you. If you contribute to other people’s happiness you will find the true goal, the true meaning of life.

We need to help each other in times of difficulties.

We must share good fortune we enjoy. In the art of giving is the art of living. “RESPECT THE OTHERNESS OF OTHERS”

PGMAG: Who would be your ideal lunch date, and why choose this person?

BK: My husband, Surender. He has been my mentor. He taught me how to handle people and how to tackle problems.

PGMAG: Who is your role model?

PGMAG: What are the three keys which can positively transform the life of a leader if applied?

BK: Hardwork Intelligent thinking Sincerity in approach

PGMAG: Thank you for your time and contribution in making this interview a success. We are grateful.

BK: I am grateful too for giving me an opportunity to showcase my work for the community. www.powerhouseglobalmag.com