Harjinder Singh Kukreja among World’s 100 most influential Sikhs

In a powerful reflection of the evolving Sikh identity in a rapidly globalising world, Harjinder Singh Kukreja, a Ludhiana-based entrepreneur, content creator, and cultural ambassador, has once again been named in The Sikh 100—the prestigious annual list curated by The Sikh Group (UK) honouring the world’s most influential Sikhs.

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The 13th edition, unveiled on June 20, 2025, features 100 Sikh trailblazers from across the globe, spanning spirituality, business, governance, philanthropy, and the arts. From spiritual leaders to global economists, the list captures the extraordinary breadth of Sikh excellence shaping contemporary society.

Joining global figures such as Ajaypal Singh Banga, President of the World Bank Group; Diljit Dosanjh, internationally acclaimed musician and actor; and Bhagwant Singh Mann, Chief Minister of Punjab; Harjinder Singh Kukreja represents a distinctly modern expression of Sikh impact—one where digital storytelling, cultural representation, and faith converge seamlessly.

With a digital audience exceeding 8 million followers across Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, Kukreja has carved a niche as a faith-forward travel influencer, elevating Sikh visibility in global luxury and lifestyle spaces. Known for his signature turbaned presence in destinations as varied as Seattle, Petra, and Paris, his narratives—ranging from daily Hukamnama Sahib reflections to Sikh heritage explorations—resonate deeply, far beyond the diaspora.

This marks Kukreja’s second consecutive appearance in The Sikh 100, after debuting in 2023. His work is not just about destinations; it is about carrying the Guru’s message wherever he goes—whether by hoisting the Nishan Sahib in Gallipoli, installing Sikh emblems at the Ypres World War I Memorial in Belgium, or unveiling a bust of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in St.-Tropez, France. These symbolic acts underscore his commitment to making Sikh presence visible in global public memory.

A standout feature of Kukreja’s impact is his family-first approach. Alongside his wife Harkirat Kaur Kukreja, a prominent lifestyle content creator with over 1.8 million followers, and their children Rehras, Aad Sach, and Rut Suhavi, the Kukrejas have pioneered a genre of storytelling rooted in Sikh values, travel, and modern-day parenting. Their journeys—from Rut’s emotional return to her birthplace in the United States, to interfaith langars in Ludhiana, to mangrove kayaking in Sharjah—offer a unique blend of elegance, emotional resonance, and cultural pride.

Kukreja’s inclusion this year comes alongside more than 20 new names, including:

• Ajaypal Singh Banga, President, World Bank

• Diljit Dosanjh, global cultural icon

• Indermit Singh Gill, Chief Economist, World Bank

• Jugeshinder Singh, Group CFO, Adani

• Kuljit Singh, President, Boeing Middle East

• Gippy Grewal and Gurpreet Ghuggi, Punjabi cinema stalwarts

• Sant Baba Kulwant Singh Ji, Jathedar, Sri Hazur Sahib

While Banga spearheads economic transformation and Dosanjh takes Punjabi identity global, Kukreja works in the domain of soft power through cultural storytelling. His collaborations with global brands and tourism boards—including Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Four Seasons, Visit Malta, Saudi Tourism Authority, and Klook—reflect not only commercial success but also a deeper form of cultural diplomacy, where every post and reel reinforces Sikh identity in aspirational spaces.

According to Dr Navdeep Singh Bansal, founder of The Sikh Group, “The Sikh 100 is a gallery of stories that reflect Sikh resilience, vision, and the timeless power of faith.” Kukreja’s story stands out in that gallery—not for occupying a traditional position of authority, but for embodying a confident, visible, global Sikh voice in the digital age.

His influence also extends well beyond the online world. Kukreja has supported Afghan Sikh refugees, contributed to flood relief in Jammu & Kashmir, conducted orphanage visits, and re-registered his marriage under the Anand Karaj Act, all reflecting his deep alignment with seva (selfless service) and sarbat da bhala (welfare of all)—core tenets of Sikhism.

For many younger Sikhs, including his son Rehras, who aspires to walk in his father’s footsteps, Kukreja offers a contemporary role model: a turbaned Sikh who walks into global spaces—be it the White House or the Dead Sea—and claims them with purpose and poise.

As he sets his sights on visiting every country in the world as a proud Sikh, Harjinder Singh Kukreja’s inclusion in The Sikh 100 is both a celebration and a reaffirmation—that Sikh leadership today lives not just in gurdwaras or government, but in stories, activism, and the digital timelines shaping global consciousness.

From Ludhiana to London, from Gallipoli to Instagram, Kukreja’s journey signals a bold, borderless future for Sikh visibility—redefining what it means to carry the Guru’s message in the 21st century.

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