Dr. Arvinder Sethi

Dr. Arvinder Sethi, Pen name ‘Pehchaan Soney Dr Arvinder (N.D),’ All India Lyness Chandrajyot Secretary (Activity), Psychodynamic Psychotherapist, counselor, and social reformer empowering underprivileged women, students, and youth. All with a smile.

Dr. Arvinder’s story in her own words:

"I am second among my four siblings, blessed to have been born to doting parents, Iqbal Singh Sethi and Perduman Kaur. My Daddy was a decorated Indian Navy veteran who served for 20 years, from 1949 to 1969. He was honoured for his role in the 1961 Goa Liberation War and the 1965 India–Pakistan War.

We moved to Chembur after Daddy retired from the Indian Navy in 1969. The reason we came to Chembur was that we’d been allotted two barracks in lieu of our Rawalpindi haveli when my Daddy’s family migrated to India during the partition.

I was not even six years old back then, and today, after 57 years, I’m still a proud Chemburkar. In fact, I never left this place, not even after my marriage.

My schooling began at Kendriya Vidyalaya (Colaba), as Daddy was serving in the Indian Navy, where I completed my Junior KG. Then Daddy got transferred to Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, in 1967, so I completed my Senior KG and first standard there, from the first batch of Kendriya Vidyalaya (Andaman and Nicobar). In 1969, after we moved to Chembur, I joined St. Sebastian’s High School directly in second standard and studied there till I completed SSC in 1978. For junior college, I went to AFAC Junior College and completed my graduation from Khalsa College, Matunga.

I remember, during our childhood days, we used to walk from our house in the barracks to where Cubic Mall stands today. The roads wore an empty look then, no autorickshaws, no bikes, few private vehicles, and absolutely no traffic. Daddy would say, “Yaha par Basant Talkies banega.” (Nadiadwala Studio used to be behind it.) And within a few years, Basant Talkies was ready in the early 1970s.

The first movie released there was the mythological Bollywood film Sampoorna Ramayana, and the second was a Hollywood film, Where Eagles Dare. From then on, every Sunday, Daddy took us there to watch blockbusters. Laurel and Hardy, Crazy Boys, and many more.

My Daddy, Late Iqbal Singh Sethi, was also known as India’s Elvis Presley and the King of Rock ’n’ Roll of India. He was a very strict parent, partly because of the discipline ingrained in all armed forces personnel, and majorly because of his experience as a pop star.

He got me married at the age of 19, while I was still studying and in my first year of graduation. I got married, but my education continued.

My late husband, Inderpal Singh Sandhu, was a good-hearted, kind, and humble soul. He served in the Merchant Navy as a marine engineer with the Shipping Corporation of India for 31 years. He hailed from Delhi, and one of his family members was a common friend with my Daddy. That’s how the proposal came. My soon-to-be husband’s ship had docked in Bombay, so Daddy went to meet him. He liked him instantly. We got engaged on 4th April 1982, I appeared for my first-year B.Sc practical exams, got married on 2nd May, and left for Delhi. All within 28 days.

We spent a good one month together, and soon it was time for me to return to Mumbai for my written exams starting on 13th June. He, too, had to rejoin his ship in August. And that’s how my married life began.

After two years, during my final year, Waheguruji blessed us with our first daughter on Saturday, 14th April 1984. I remember so well, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, for three consecutive days, I had appeared for my practical exams. Saturday was a holiday due to Ambedkar Jayanti, Ram Navmi, Mahavir Jayanti, Buddha Jayanti, and Baisakhi, my daughter was born in the afternoon of this auspicious day.

I stayed with her till Sunday. On Monday, my gynaecologist, Dr. Meera at Meera Nursing Home, gave me a letter stating I was fit to appear for my last practical exam. So I appeared for it, leaving my one-day-old daughter under the good care of my parents at the nursing home.

When my daughter was 13 days old, I had my written exams, I appeared for the exams at Matunga. You’d be surprised to know that I cleared them with First Class! In those days, First Class carried weightage.

In 1997, I completed my four-year Doctor of Naturopathy course from Shri Sanatan Dharam High School & Junior College. Dr. Fateh Mangher Malani taught us this course every Sunday. Later, I did a short-term course in Psychology and then became a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist during Covid times. In my life, learning never stopped.

It might sound unbelievable, but despite having so many degrees and being so qualified, I haven’t earned a penny in my entire life, as per God’s will.

Once, in the late 80s, my school, St. Sebastian’s, was looking for a teacher and offered me a salary of ₹600 a month. I was excited and spoke to my husband. He replied, “Mai ₹1,000 rupye se zyada roz ka kamata hu, aur ₹600 k liye tu ek mahina roz jaegi!” That was the end of my thought of taking up a job, and I gave my 100% to my three daughters, who completed their Masters without any external assistance.

The blessings I’ve received by serving the less privileged are my true earnings.

The only money I’ve “earned” is from my Tarot Card reading sessions. Isme toh paisa lena majboori hai, because you have to involve money as it’s required to exchange energies.

I joined the Lions organisation in 1994, and till today, I’m a member. Lionism helped me identify and volunteer to serve the needy of society. It helped me give back in various forms, assisting with education and stationery for underprivileged school children, caring for the environment by planting trees and maintaining gardens, empowering women by giving them sewing machines and teaching them sewing and paper-bag making skills, helping them earn a respectable livelihood. I also helped organize eye check-up camps and sponsored innumerable cataract surgeries over the past 31 years.

I feel blessed to have touched the lives of more than one lakh children and thousands of families so far. We’ve also adopted many schools, for which I’ve been honoured with countless certificates and limited-edition medals. Post-pandemic, the topic I speak about the most is mental health.

If you ask me how many awards or trophies I’ve received from Lions and Lioness clubs for my service, I honestly wouldn’t be able to give you a number since I’ve lost count. Last year, I received almost one honour every day. The limited-edition awards and medals received from Lions International and my achievements as an author are easier to track.

Generally, I donate the awards, trophies I receive to underprivileged schools, where they’re used to recognize the best-performing students.

I’m also associated with the All India Lyness Clubs as the All India Lyness Chandrajyot Secretary. Yes, it’s a post with great responsibility, but it’s manageable, as the principle we operate on is simple: first family, second business, and third Lionism.

During the first lockdown, in the initial 42 days, I was in Vasai at my second daughter’s house. When I returned, I not only arranged the masks but also Arsenicum Album 30 — a homeopathic medicine prescribed by experts at the time. It was distributed for free in my locality. Covid mein toh iske alawa bhi itna kaam kiya k abhi yaad bhi nahi hai.

I received five certificates as a Covid Warrior from various organisations. Yes, I was very active even during Covid, by God’s will. You can say that I truly started living MY life post-Covid, when I began my journey of self-discovery.

It was during the lockdown that I started writing, after being persuaded a lot by my friends, who recognised my hidden talent, and my daughters who pushed me to write and sketch. I call them my five Earth Angels.

I wrote my first story on 8th July 2020. I was given the nickname ‘Pehchaan Soney Dr. Arvinder (N.D)’. Today, my 21st book themed on Self-Love is to be released very soon. I’ve written books on women, poetry, toddlers (for parents), and even cookery, because I looove cooking.

You can, in a way, say that I started living MY life post-Covid after I took the journey of self-discovery following my husband’s demise on 6th January 2018, after years of prolonged illness. It was with divine blessings and the blessings of the less privileged that my husband survived 12 years of prolonged illness. My youngest daughter took utmost care of him in the last stage of his life..

Would like to share a Miracle that happened in my life. On 12th December 2013, my husband suffered 4 brain stroke and lost his memory completely, and when I say completely, I mean completely.

For three months straight, he remained in that dire condition. Then, in March 2013, I took him to the Golden Temple in Amritsar to pray to Waheguruji for his health. There, I washed his head and feet with the holy water of the Sarovar and, with my support, made him circumambulate the Sarovar. It was really painful and difficult for him to walk because he couldn’t maintain his balance due to the stroke. However, by God’s grace, he managed to complete the circumambulation.

It still gives me goosebumps remembering that day.

Afterwards, I took him back to our hotel room. He was exhausted, so I made him sleep. Once he was in deep sleep, I locked the room from outside and went to the nearby market to get something important. I instructed the hotel receptionist not to open the door no matter what.

AND when I returned nearly an hour later, I was shocked, surprised, and over the moon to see that Waheguruji had returned my husband’s full memory, from childhood to adulthood, he remembered everything! It was such a great miracle that the family couldn’t believe it had actually happened. It was so, so, so unusual and unbelievable. He had recovered fully.

After that, he lived for five good years and finally returned to Waheguruji. Honi ko bhala kaun badal saka hai. In fact, I am grateful and consider myself truly fortunate that I was fit and healthy enough to serve him when he needed me the most.

My mother’s words remind me whenever I feel gloomy, “Adjust your crown and move on.”

Living alone has been a powerful teacher. In solitude, I’ve sharpened my hobbies, pushed my limits, and learned to enjoy my own company. When I need to unwind, I head to Acres Club, and for a special meal, I prefer Stars Parade restaurant in Chembur. Above all, I believe in spreading smiles and serving others with sincerity, without expecting anything in return.

And, I'm sure it's not "THE END." I trust that God still has deeper ways to use me as an instrument for positive change and upliftment, just as He allowed me to help young Jeetu, who lost his father in 2nd standard, and I supported his education and basic needs up to graduation. Today, he works in a bank. And the way He gave me the privilege of arranging eye surgery for a 10-year-old girl who couldn’t see, and She’s now 28, married, and a mother.

At this stage of my life, everything feels absolutely fulfilling and complete — daughters happily married, three wonderful grandchildren, and my deep connection to Lionism that makes life absolutely worth living with God’s grace, Gratitude to God.”

Along with the above accomplishments, Dr. Arvinder has also received six certificates from the World Book of Records, London for singing, writing stories, crochet, painting, writing poetry, and speech, in an All-India competition.

She’s also been the Honorary Treasurer of Tolaram Smruti Apartments for almost 25 years and has even worked along with the Peace Keeping Force of Chembur Police Station.

More Jewels in Her Crown:

1.Penned first story on 8th of July 2020.

2.Published and released 20 books on various topics, Pehchaan 12 : Top 12 Outstanding Books of 2023

3.Recognised as Top 4 Influential Authors of 2023

4.Honoured with Rashtriya Pratistha Puruskar.

5.Best Social Reformer Pride of India Award.

6.Legendary Woman of Maharashtra Award.

7.Member of Lions Clubs International and All India Lyness Clubs Secretary (Activity) All India Lyness Clubs. Lioness District President 2017-2018, the 28 Clubs geographical area ranged from Chembur to Thane and Chembur to Alibaug

8.Crowned 1st Runner-up Lions Mrs Magnificent Queen 2022

9.Recipient of many National and International awards, medals and limited edition medals from Lions International.

10.Received 6 Certificates from World Book of Records London.

11.Received 5 Covid Warrior Certificates from various NGO’s.

12.Second position Top 9 Talented Authors of 2024 by Poetic Souls

13.Second Position in Top 9 Iconic Personalities Of The Year 2024 Ft Poetic Souls.

14.Writeups in 150+ Anthologies with various Publishers.

15).On Complaint Solving Committee of Poddar International School Mira Road.

16) Received Top 8 Iconic Stars from Poetic Souls.

Dr. Arvind’s Facebook pages:

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