Viral: Aussie man wears a 5$ turban in Punjab; Shopkeeper’s advice wins hearts – The Times of India

In an array of vloggers, bloggers, and influencers, trying to demean India and gather views on its ‘dirty-ness’, there are some true hearts that leave India with wholesome experiences and delight Indians too, for their respect of the culture.
And recently, a viral video of an Australian travel vlogger, has hooked the internet, making people admire his respect for Indian values and for a shopkeeper’s words of advice.
Luke Damant, a popular Australian travel vlogger, is known for exploring countries and cultures, and from India to Iran, Damant has shared his experiences from across the world. And recently, his vlog from Punjab is going viral, with over 10 million views on Instagram, where Damant is seen donning a turban, and a shopkeeper lets him know what the rules of turban wearing are.
In the vlog, Adamant is walking through the bustling streets of Punjab, and seems fascinated with the different turbans people are wearing. An Indian boy comes to his side, and Luke asks him where he can get the turban. The boy politely asks Luke to come with him and guides him to the nearest turban shop.
Once inside, Luke asks how much for the turban and after the shopkeeper answers ‘400 (rupees)’, they choose the colour of his turban. Luke chooses a bright and beautiful dark blue, and then sits down, waiting for the shopkeep to put it on.

In the video, Luke looks amazed not just by the process but by how different he felt with the turban on.
Luke also asked if only males wear a turban and not women, to which the shopkeeper replied that both genders can wear the turban, with the simple difference that women’s turbans are spread around the head, while men’s turbans are in a V-Shape.
As the shopkeeper finishes the final creases on the turban and Luke hands him the money, he carefully tells him ‘No smoking, no drinking when turban on, strictly’.
Luke happily agrees to it, hands the money, says thank you and leaves the shop.

The Turban for Sikhs

The turban, also known as Pagri, is not just a fashion item in Punjab, but is a sign of honour, discipline, and commitment to Sikhism and its teachings.
Every morning, many Sikh men and even women carefully tie their turbans with pride, covering their long hair with the fabric, and it serves as a means of their identity and faith.
The Sikhs who are ‘Amrit dhaaris’ have 5 main rules, or the 5 K’s – Kada (bangle), Kanga (comb), Kirpan (dagger), Kesh (hair), and Kachha (underpants) that they always wear.
They also do not smoke, drink, take any forms of drugs, or engage in impure habits.

The reactions to viral video

The reactions to the viral video are simply wholesome and of true respect to Indian culture. One user commented on the video “Didn’t know u can’t smoke and drink in turban!! Wow!! Big respect ,how beautiful” while another said “Good shopkeeper, he also suggested what to do and what not wearing turban”.
Another user also commented “Respect to the person who tied the dastar (turban ) and said not drink or smoke when you have a turban on your head . The turban is very respected and people see those with a turban with respect and trustworthy so we must keep it that way so people feel comfortable and safe around a person with a turban and can ask for help any time”