After a significantly long gap, a Kuwait based NRI Mr Rajpal Tyagi received the prestigious “Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award” from the Hon’ble President of India this year. Probably the only one Indian who made a mark of his own in the field of “Architecture” and “Interior designing” in Kuwait. This Indian’s creative touches made a difference in many of the prestigious buildings in Kuwait including the iconic Kuwait Tower.
In an exclusive chat with IndiansinKuwait.com after receiving the prestigious ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award’, Mr Tyagi shares his joy and happiness with our readers.
“I was on cloud nine”, Mr Rajpal Tyagi said while recollecting the beautiful memory of getting the prestigious Award from the President of India, Sri Ramnath Kovind. “When you came to know that you are one of the 30 people among the 30 million NRIs outside India where our government appreciated your work, it’s really a matter of pride,” he said. “The credit goes to lot of people who stood behind me in every walks of my life,” Tyagi recollects. First of all, I thank “Guruji” who is GOD to us; for all the success he bestowed upon me, the stern spiritual believer Mr Tyagi said. When I came to Kuwait around 40 years back, my mother’s advice to me was ‘not to do something which will make a black spot on our family’ and I still believe in that and follow her advice in all steps of my life.
There is a big criterion to get this prestigious ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award’ and this government is very strict in its selection criteria. The credentials they check includes your contribution in whatever profession you are doing, your achievement in that field. As an Indian, what you have done in the country where you are living. As an NRI, what is your contribution towards your mother land. Your extra-curricular activities whether it is for the community service, philanthropy, sports, business etc. the criteria are very long. Every year, there will be around 700 to 800 entries from all over the world. Your credentials are thoroughly checked and a 12-member panel of experts make the final selection of 30 NRIs.
“For me, it was really unexpected when I got an email from Indian government saying that I am selected for this prestigious Award” Mr Tyagi recollects. Those three days of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas – 2019, conventions were unforgettable days of my life. You meet lot of high-level dignitaries. You attend the lunch and dinner hosted by VVIPs including our great Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Sri Ramnath Kovind, Foreign Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj, etc. It was fantastic. “I had goose bumps when I was receiving the award from the respected President of India. Definitely inside my heart I feel very happy and I have the feeling of gratitude towards God and many people”.
“More than half of this Award goes to my wife – Mrs. Gauri Rajpal Tyagi, as she supported and sacrificed for me during my journey in my life”, Mr Tyagi said. I spent lot of time for helping the community which otherwise I could have spent with my wife and two children – Tulika & Nitika. There are lot of people who helped me in my journey. My family, my friends, my office colleagues… I should thank them all, for all what I have achieved. I could have not achieved anything by my own. “Our success would not have taken place if our clients and friends were not supportive,” Tyagi says.
“I came to Kuwait two years after my graduation in Architecture from University of Roorkee, which is now known as IIT Roorkee”, Mr Tyagi shares his journey to Kuwait. I got a decent job in the field of architecture. By the time invasion took place, I was the chief architect for one of the big organisation in Kuwait. During the invasion, I moved to India. As there was no clear idea of what direction to move, instead of working for some companies, I started my own firm in Delhi called “International Interiors”. After invasion I came back to Kuwait again and started the business with same name in Kuwait.
One of the initial break I got was designing and construct the interiors of prestigious Mughal Mahal restaurant in Fahaheel. It was a successful project. Today we have done interiors for almost 360 restaurants in Kuwait. With the interior work for more than 350 branches of various Banks, Khairan Resort, many prestigious offices and more than 20 floors of Al Hamra Luxury Tower, he is proud that he is part of the development of Kuwait.
Designing the interiors of iconic Kuwait Tower was a proud work for us. We were part of the renovation of Kuwait Tower in 1988, 1992, 2002 and latest renovation done in 2017. It was a challenging work as we need to keep the historical values of the tower. It is a UNESCO heritage site. We have to keep in mind those historical touches and elements. We are thankful to God that we were able to design such beautiful projects in Kuwait. “I was very happy when I received a letter of appreciation from “Touristic Enterprises Company” on behalf of Government of Kuwait for designing the beautiful interior for Kuwait Tower”.
Earlier we also got many projects in Dubai, Beirut, Egypt, Bahrain, etc... however now we are focussing only on projects in Kuwait. Our individual attention is very important when you are doing any interior works, Mr Tyagi said.
Being a workaholic, Mr Tyagi put lot of personal efforts in all his projects. “We are the quickest when it comes to delivery of the project” The lot of applauds and appreciation he received from prestigious brands like BVLGARI, Van Cleef & Arpels, Prada, Korloff speaks about his workmanship. He credits his success to the number of architects, interior designer, civil engineers and large team of people who execute the project on time.
With a very strong Spiritual and religious background, Mr Tyagi, who is part of a social group called ‘SATKAAR spends lot of time in educating the young children living in Kuwait about India’s rich culture and tradition. The group regularly teaches the new generation about the values of ‘Bhagavad Gita’ and instil the spiritual values.
Mr Tyagi also got an opportunity to serve the Indian Community School. “I was able to use my expertise to create what I call in respected Modi Ji’s term as ‘Swachh Indian Community School’.” We renovated the classroom, we renovated School toilets, Auditorium, I was very proud that I was able to make it".
A keen sports person, Mr Tyagi also founded a club called IVCC - Indian Veteran Cricket club in Kuwait. He played cricket in university level during his college days. Mr Tyagi also represented his university in Billiards and Basketball. Even though he stopped playing now, he is still active in many sports activities in Kuwait.
Mr Tyagi is also associated with Indian Business Council. He was the general secretary for two years from 2003 - 2005.
A very much spiritual and family oriented man, Mr Tyagi currently living in Kuwait with his wife, who took good care of their two daughters. Both his daughters studied in Kuwait till their 12th at Delhi Public School. His elder daughter, after completing her graduation from IIT Delhi and has an MBA from the London Business School, was working in London and recently shifted her base to Singapore. Younger daughter is now working in New York - USA.
Tyagi spends most of his time in guiding children with right advice. Whether it is academic guidance, career guidance and for any help and support for the upcoming entrepreneurs, this IIT Roorkee graduate is always ready to share his vast experience and knowledge with the young minds.
"What my parents told me is what I always advice to others. i,e. to ‘Make your parents proud’. This is my inspiration and I extend the same to others". “This prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award will definitely inspire me to do more for my community,” Tyagi said. “If GOD has given some privileges to us, we should extend this to those who are less privileged” Mr Tyagi concludes.