Jasvir Sodhi is keeping the memory of her father alive in her downtown Georgetown business, Babbli Chan and Co. Foods Inc.
The grocery and take-out shop at 92 Main St. S. pays homage to Sodhi's father, Chanan Singh Chahal, in the business name, along with his nickname for Sodhi, which was Babbli.
She said her dad instilled in her a sense of duty to her local community, wherever that is, and to “always do good for humanity.” This spirit of philanthropy lives on at Babbli Chan, with 10 per cent of its profits going to local causes.
“In Sikhism, our Guru Baba Nanakh says we are supposed to give 10 per cent of our income to every needy person. Doesn’t matter what colour, race or gender they are,” Sodhi told HaltonHillsToday.
Babbli Chan’s menu features prepared meals like butter chicken, bhindi (okra) masala, aalu gobhi (potatoes and cauliflower) and channa (chickpea) masala.
Snack-sized items like samosas and pakoras are served up too. And of course, can’t forget the naan bread - available in garlic and butter variety. All this can be capped off with cultural sweets.
But if customers feel that Indian foods are too spicy for them, Sodhi has them covered. Babbli Chan offers full English and continental breakfasts. They can quench their thirst with masala chai, coffee and lassi, among other drinks.
Gluten-free options are available for those who have Celiac disease. Sodhi contributes fresh produce from her Limehouse farm to the shop.
The charities supported by Babbli Chan include, Sodhi says, the Georgetown Hospital Foundation, SickKids Foundation and shelters helping homeless women. In the past, she has helped animal welfare organizations and charities providing eye surgeries.
She has financially supported the weddings of girls from her and her husband’s village in India, often asking her cousins from said village to tip her off about who's getting married.
She also runs Second Avenue Lodge in Owen Sound, a care home for those suffering from mental illness.
“I always follow the path of truth,” she said. “I don’t care about what people say about me, I do what the truth is.”
Earlier this year in April, Sodhi and her daughter Nanki Kaur were present at Town Hall to raise a flag in honour of Sikh Heritage Month. On that same day, Babbli Chan was born.
