Rajinder S. Khokhar Shares CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'

Motivated by a movie that sparked his ambition to come to America, a starry eyed 19-year-old Indian Sikh, Rajinder S. Khokhar arrived here in the early sixties to pursue higher studies, but was unprepared for the discrimination he would face. In his new book, "California Dreamin'," Khokhar shares a deeper look into his journey to America.

Khokhar's memoir consists of a journal he kept and the letters he exchanged with his father as he details his struggles living in America without his family. "California Dreamin'" also includes Khokhar's experience with discrimination trying to obtain an apartment and find employment. Throughout Khokhar's journey arriving in the U.S., Khokhar encountered several trying times, which helped shape him into the person he is today.

Khokhar also details his romance with Kavita - who he describes as a tall, beautiful woman he met on the ship to America. The two had a delightful, whirlwind shipboard romance during a time most marriages in India were arranged. Khokhar's romantic relationship with Kavita was a significant experience in his young adult years as he also highlights the challenges of long-distance love.

Readers will follow along as Khokhar shares the letters he exchanged with his father during his time in America. Khokhar wrote letters about discrimination and other problems he was experiencing, writing, "It is not easy living here with hatred continually present around you." His father's response after reading this book was, "Your account of living day to day with hardly anything in your pocket is really harrowing. I am really proud of your will power for facing the ordeal on your own."

By sharing his stories, Khokhar aims to highlight the issue of discrimination in America, as well as the various challenges associated with moving to a new country.

"California Dreamin'"
By: Rajinder S. Khokhar
ISBN: 9780991321902 (sc)
Available on Lulu

About the author
Rajinder S. Khokhar is a retired engineer who lives in San Jose, Calif. Khokhar's first book, "California Dreamin'" is based on his correspondence with his father and the journals he kept during his first few years of living in America.

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