‘I felt I belonged’: NRI Justin Bhandari on rediscovering Delhi with his Canadian partner

For many NRIs, the first trip back to India is a whirlwind of nostalgia and sensory overload. However, for Justin Timothy Bhandari, a Vancouver-based social media manager who moved to Canada in 2018, his recent visit to Delhi with his partner felt like meeting an old friend for the first time. From questioning his decision while staring at the city’s smog to feeling an instant sense of belonging upon landing, Bhandari’s journey is one of rediscovered roots. In an exclusive chat with HT.com, he opened up about navigating the “not Indian enough” gaze, introducing his Canadian partner, Kevin, to his welcoming Delhi family, and why he finally felt “normal” after years of hiding his true self.Justin Bhandari and his partner with the NRI’s family. (Justin Bhandari)Talking about him and his partner, Bhandari told HT.com, “I am from Delhi, India. I was born in Delhi and stayed in Delhi up until August 2018. My partner Kevin is from Canada, he spent his childhood in a city called Kelowna, British Columbia. He was born in Calgary, Alberta.”Also Read: