Ex-engineer keeps 80-year-old sweet tradition alive

Jai Hind, a family-owned restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, has kept alive a 80-year-old tradition of serving Punjabi cuisine and traditional Indian sweets, particularly during Deepavali. The establishment, located on Jalan Melayu, has been operating since 1946 and was named after the slogan "Jai Hind" delivered by Indian freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945.

Bhoopender Singh, the current owner and operator, took over the business in 1984 when he was 25 years old, despite initially having no interest in running the shop. He was motivated to keep the restaurant going due to his mother's concerns and his father's declining health. Deepavali is Jai Hind's busiest period, with customers flocking to the restaurant for barfi, palkova, ladoo, and other traditional sweets.

The restaurant has been serving the same customers for generations, with some families returning for over 40 years. Bhoopender remains committed to keeping Jai Hind alive, even as his two daughters, who live in Australia, have no interest in taking over the business and his son, who is studying information technology, shows little interest in the role.