http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/06/28/stories/2008062852890800.htm 

“Hi, this is Bob from Thailand”, says a distinct, easy going and a sweet voice over the phone. For those Thai, Thai Indians and Indians , Bob is a eminently a recognizable name. One can call him Sahni Saab or by his real name Dilbir Singh. A graduate and a native of Vijayawada Bob’s family was in a financial mess in 92-93 and he decided to do something about it. He left for Delhi where he struggled for a couple of months  for a tourist visa and landed in Thailand with just 100 dollars in his pocket.

Speaking sometimes in chaste telugu and fluent English,Bob says he had like any other Sikh started upfront in life and did so many things to survive in an alien land. He met Gopal Nair from Travel Trade one day and the stranger trigerred the thought process in him and Bob resolved to become a travel representative for the Thai dealing with Indians. He joined Karey and by 2005 he established his own agency called the Indo-Bangkok Travels and also a Company named Indo-Bangkok Films.

His work primarily was to make arrangements for the tourists, film people, accommodation, permissions for shooting in various locations, providing junior artistes and in short all the movie requirements and eversince there was no looking back. Apart from the Travels and Film Company he single handedly set up a restaurant Namaste India on the highway between Bangkok Airport and Pataya City and one restaurant Spices on the Pataya Beach.

How does it feel to be the most popular Indian in Thailand? Bob replies modestly, “There are many tourists coming here and they have their people or someone picking them at the airport. But even then they have a vague feeling looking for directions as if they are lost in this city. I feel I’m in a far better position than them. I came here to make something of myself and even today if I were to lose everything, I’m confident I can face any adversity. I don’t wish even my enemy to go through what I went initially.”

There are many rich Thai Indians but Bob is known to be the richest of all for having  a big heart. He is not all about money, he has created a little India in Thailand, throws the most lavish of parties and is famous for spreading goodwill. While money does play an important role it gives Bob a major kick that he is an Indian while his birthday party is telecast live in the TV channels in Thailand. He says animatedly and extends an invitation, “Everyone waits for Bob’s party. My friends come from India to my place to celebrate, you are welcome too. It’s on 12^th November.”

The biggest advantage for him is knowing telugu thoroughly. “Many people Ramanaidu, EVV, Puri Jagan etc feel comfortable when I am around. Many producers and filmi personalities call me up and tell me that around 15 ladies are visiting Thailand for a holiday and they ask me to take care of them. They feel the family is in safe hands.” Bob has now taken care of over 100 films including music videos in Thailand and is silmultaneously handling his restaurant and travel business. How does he manage all of this? He sounds cool, “I’m 24×7 on my mobile giving instructions and running the show and when ever my phone rings in the middle of the night I can breathe deeply, I have no wife to crib over my lifestyle. Yes, I’m a bachelor, my folks tell me that I should settle down.”

Though Bob speaks impeccable Thai, he still craves to go to the Gurudwara every Sunday for Indian food. Indian food is very expensive and his first meal when he landed here has been Thai, it’s all about survival ain’t it? And finally before he pleads to hang up the phone ask him the secret of his success, he just says, “nothing! Just showers of blessings!”…..