While still a student in Nairobi, Syal was published extensively in literary magazines including Busara and Nexus. He contributed to Poems from East Africa edited by David Rubadiri and David Cook. Subsequently, he was written about by literary critics and teachers at the Nairobi University. His play, Through a Handcuff, entered in a university competition, earned him the first runner up position. His first solo anthology of poetry, gleaned from writings of over 50 years, was published titled Streams of Consciousness. His second anthology, written during a three-week period of lock-down due to the 2020 COVID pandemic, has been published titled One Zero Eight. He is also co-author, with his sister Harshi Syal Gill, of a collection of short stories – African Quilt, and a play – God Minus. He has contributed a chapter – The Esoteric in Sant Kabir Das – in Thus Says Kabir – Listen O’ Brethren Sadho !

In LA, Syal edited the erstwhile Indian newspaper, India Reporter and contributed to the ethnic press. He also broadcast a weekly health segment on a Hindi/Urdu radio program. As part of the Wandering Players Theater Group in Los Angeles, Syal acted in numerous plays and also wrote short one act plays. His Hindi adaptation of Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park was staged as Pati, Patni aur Makaan. His credits also extend to acting in three films produced under the K R Films banner.

On the community front, Syal was a founding member of the Federation of Indo-American Associations, and later its President and Chairman. He also co-founded the Tri-Valley Indian Medical Association as well as the Indo-American Political Action Committee. Currently, he is Secretary of the Association of Los Angeles Physicians of Indian Origin.

Syal is married to Kiran and lives in Chatsworth, California.