Asian Indians in Michigan

Appendix 1

APPENDIX 1 ASuccess Story B e Grewal brothers of Detroit are decedents of one of the "original six" Asian Indians to settle in Detroit. Their grandfather, Sarwan Singh Grewal, left Punjab in 1921, and after staying in California for more than a year he traveled to Detroit with the group that included Arjin Singh. Sarwan Singh Grewal was a Sikh Tat from the village of Sahouli located in the Ludhiana District of India's Punjab. He learned about the opportunities in California from his cousin, Ishar Singh Dhillon who was studying at the University of California at Berkeley. With reluctance, Sarwan's father gave him passage money. Sarwan obtained his passport in Lahore and than took the train to Calcutta, where he boarded a freighter for Hong Kong. After nine days in Hong Kong he boarded a steamer for the month-long trip to California. In California, he and his companions initially worked for 20 cents an hour. Sarwan Singh and some of his friends realized that they could not survive on such a low wage and turned to contract farming.53 After a few years they bought a car and drove East. After a month in Chicago, they continued on to Detroit, where they settled in 1924. Sarwan Singh had a bill passed in Congress enabling him to bring his grandsons, Tahil, Lushman, Teat, and Gurmale the four Grewal 69 70 Arthur W. Helweg Figure 11. Mr. G. S. Grewal being honored by his village oforigin for the many ways he has helped and invested to make the community have a comparatively higher standard ofliving than surrounding villages. Courtesy ofG. S. Grewal. brothers, to America.54 Thus at the tender age of 13, the youngest brother Gurmale Singh Grewale began a new life in a new country. The Detroit riots it 1967 were devastating for the Grewals. The value oftheir real estate holdings dropped drastically, and the family suffered the untimely death of their grandfather in 1968. Young Gurmale Singh Grewal, at the age of 19, took on the responsibility for renovating the family-owned Wolverine Hotel for the city. The project and its success turned into the Singh Development Company with the Mission Statement: Develop high quality real estate properties that will meet market needs, enhance the communities they serve and improve the quality of life of the people who live and work in them. With each brother heading key sections of the company, the Singh Development Company has grown to being one of the top five development companies in Michigan. Qualified and capable family mem- ASIAN INDIANS IN MICHIGAN 71 bers work in the firm. Nonfamily but capable individuals are treated with respect, paid well, and loyal to the firm. Gurmale the CEO attributes much of the firm's success to being sensitive to the desires of his clients as well as treating his employees with dignity and respect. Thus, turnover is low. Also, having brothers Figures 12 and 13. Grewal family snapshots. Courtesy ofG. S. Grewal. 72 Arthur W. Helweg and family members in key positions of the company has added to its efficiency, for family members take a greater interest in the business and communications among them are more informal and efficient. Also those nonfamily employees in key positions are treated so well they do not want to leave and are "adopted" into family. The Grewal brothers set aside every Friday evening for a family dinner, a ritual that promotes unity and a cohesiveness. It also provides a setting where business and other family matters can be dealt with informally. The brothers have kept one foot in India and the other in Detroit, so to speak. They have been a tremendous asset to Detroit and their home village of Sahouli. Through the company in Detroit, they have created 2,448 permanent jobs and generated $80 million in wages and $4 million in tax revenues.55 Gurmale, the CE056 is active in the Democratic Party and respected and consulted by officials and representatives from both the United States and India. Gurmale, like his brothers, has not forgotten his village. He set up a computer center in the village that is tied to the internet. Through his brothers and family members in India he has also invested in land as well as being involved in the internal and external affairs ofSahouli. He visits Sahouli about twice a year, and more often if needed. The Grewal...