Tributes – Newspapers

New Delhi (ABC Live) The Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh

has condoled the passing away of Satguru Jagjit Singh, the head of the Namdhari sect of Sikhs. In a message to Mata Har Chand Kaur Jee, Dr. Mamnmohan Singh said that in the passing away of the Satguru Jagjit Singh millions have lost their spiritual guide. The Satguru`s message of peace and brotherhood will continue to show us the way forward he added.The text of the Prime Minister`s message is as follows: “I received the news of Satguru Jagjit Singh`s passing away with deep sorrow and a sense of loss. Satguru`s teachings were based on the timeless principle of respect for all religions. His was a simple life devoted to the service of others. He was a source of guidance, inspiration and solace to millions. He was also a renowned musician, well versed in rare and original ragas, who worked to preserve the traditions of Indian classical music.I convey my heartfelt condolences to you, the near and dear ones of Satguru and to his countless followers on this sad occasion.”

Hindustan Times

Satguru Jagjit Singh, the head of the Namdhari sect of Sikhs, passed away at 6.38pm on Thursday. He was 92. Satguru was undergoing treatment at SPS Apollo Hospital here for the past three weeks following chest infection. He also had septicemia and had been on ventilator ever since.The last rites would be conducted at Bhaini Sahib, the sect headquarters near Ludhiana, at 2pm on Friday.The Punjab government declared a public holiday in all educational institutions, offices, boards and corporations in Chandigarh as well as in the state on Friday as a mark of respect to the religious leader. Satguru Jagjit Singh was born in November 1920 at Bhaini Sahib, a township 35 km from Ludhiana. He was the fifth spiritual guru of the Namdharis who assumed the throne from Satguru Partap Singh in 1959. His wife, Chand Kaur, nephew Uday, son-in-law Jagtar Singh and his close associate Hanspal were at his side when he breathed his last.An exponent of  Indian classical music, Satguru Jagjit Singh was internationally acclaimed for his vocal recitals, especially for his unique style of ‘gurbani’ that he recited in ragas. He also played the dilruba, a string instrument.

THE TRIBUNE 14.12.2012

Ludhiana/Bhaini sahib, Dec 13 Satguru Jagjit Singh, spiritual head of the Namdhari sect, breathed his last at 6:28 pm at SPS Apollo Hospital today. He had been suffering from chest infection for the last some days.

Confirming this, Dr Kapil Chib, medical superintendent, SPS Apollo hospital, Ludhiana, said, “He was under treatment here for chest infection for the last few days. He breathed his last this evening.”

Harbhajan Singh, Ludhiana in charge of the Kuka community, said, “He was 92 and was under treatment at SPS Apollo Hospital for the last seven-eight days.” Satguru Jagjit Singh will be cremated at 2 pm at Bhaini Sahib tomorrow.

THE EGALITARIAN

AN APOSTLE OF PEACE & SPIRITUALITY DEPARTS

THE TRIBUNE 16-31.12.2012

Ludhiana: Millions of his followers feel orphaned and marooned as they lose their mentor and an embodiment of piety and peace, Satguru Sri Jagjit Singh Ji Maharaj, chief of the Namdhari sect known for its chivalry, patriotism, austerity, simplicity and heightened spirituality.

Thousands of people from all walks of life bid a tearful adieu to their beloved Satguru Sri Jagjit Singh Ji Maharaj, who passed away at Ludhiana on 13th December 2012 Thursday evening after a prolonged illness. He was cremated at Namdhari Darbar in Bhaini Sahib where his mortal remains were consigned to the flames amidst a sea of humanity assembled on the occasion. His grandson Jai Singh lit the pyre amidst heart rendering scenes.

Talking to the media persons after the cremation of Satguru Sri Jagjit Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said that in the death of Satguru Sri Jagjit Singh Ji the nation has lost one of the most revered religious personalities who always acted, as a beacon to guide the destiny of mankind in the present materialistic society by inspiring the people to tread on the path of simplicity and spirituality.

Recalling the valuable services rendered by Satguru Sri Jagjit Singh ji in ushering an era of communal harmony, brotherhood, peace and amity in the country, the chief minister said that he was a great spiritual ambassador and an eminent social reformer who played a proactive role in eradicating social evils like female foeticide, dowry and drug addiction from the society.

Describing Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji as an institution in himself, the Chief Minister said that he was known and highly respected amongst the people for his philanthropic works in the field of education and health. He said that Satguru Sri Jagjit Singh Ji played a vanguard role in popularizing the concept of organic farming of vegetables, fruits and flowers besides promoting music and sports. He further said that in death of Satguru Sri Jagjit Singh Ji, an irretrievable void has been created in the socio-religious sphere. He also remembered the immense contribution made by the Narndhari sect during the freedom struggle of India to free the country from the yoke of British imperialism.

Sharing his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family and Namdhari sect, the Chief Minister prayed to Almighty to give strength to them in this hour of grief and grant peace to the dear departed.

On the occasion the Chief Minister also shared his condolences with Mata Chand Kaur wife of Satguru Sii Jagjit Singh Ji, his daughter Sahib Kaur, Nephew Uday Singh, Son-in-law Sant Jagtar Singh, Surinder Singh Namdhari and other family members of the legendary religious leader.

Meanwhile Head of Dera Beas Baba Gurinder Singh JI, Baba Lakhvir Singh Ji Ratwara Sahib and Sant Amrik Singh Ji Panj Bhainian also attended the cremation of Satguru Sri Jagjit Singh Ji.

THE TRIBUNE 15.12.2012

THOUSANDS BID ADIEU TO NAMDHARI SECT HEAD

PUNJAB/HARYANA/HINDUSTAN TIMES

BHAINI SAHIB (LUDHIANA): More than 20,000 followers, besides dignitaries from various fields, attended the cremation of Satguru Jagjit Singh, the Namdhari sect’s spiritual head, on Friday.

The last rites were performed at the Satguru’s native village and Namdharis’ township, Bhaini Sahib, 25 km from here.

The Satguru’s grandson, Jai Singh, lit the pyre. His nephew, Thakur Uday Singh and Son- in-law Jagtar Singh also performed the last rites.

Emotions ran high among the followers, especially women, as they bid a tearful adieu to their spiritual head. Some even fainted when the pyre was lit.

People even walked down from the main road, 3 km from the township, and climbed atop trees to get the Satguru’s last glimpse.

Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal led the state political leadership on the occasion. Prominent among others present were Akali ministers Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Sharanjit Singh Dhillon and Sarwan Singh Phillaur; Akali leaders Darshan Singh Shivalik, Ranjit Dhillon and Hira Singh Gabria; BJP leader Satpal Gosain, congress leaders La! Singh, Gurkirat Singh Kotli, Amrik Singh Dhillon, Tej Pratap Singh, Prem Mittal, Guriqbal Kaur, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and latter’s son-in-law Vikram Bajwa; Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) Punjab unit chief Brij Bhushan Bedi; and Radha Soami Dera chief Gurinder Singh Dhillon.

Among the police officers, deputy inspector general (DIG), Ludhiana range, MF Farooqui, Khanna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Jatinder Singh Aulakh, Rupnagar SSP Indeimohan Singh, SAS Nagar SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and Jagraon SSP Ashish Chaudhary were present.

H.S.HANSPAL,President,Namdhari Darbar

SATGURU JAGJIT SINGH JI WAS A REALISTIC, PATH-FINDER AND QUITE PHENOMENAL. IN 1965, SATGURU ii WAS ACCORDED THE TITLE OF “GOPAL RATNA” BY THE GO-SAM VARDHAN SAMITI OF INDIA. VEGETARIANISM, NON-USE OF INTOXICANT DRINKS AND DRUGS, SWADESHI, COW-PROTECTION, SIMPLE AND STRAIGHT LIFE ARE THE AIMS AND EMBLEMS OF HIS FOLLOWERS. UNDER HIM, THE NAMDHARI SIKHS HAVE PROGRESSED IN ALL FIELDS OF LIFE, INCLUDING EDUCATION AND SPORTS.

PRENEET Kaur MOURNS LOSS

PATIALA: Union minister of state for external affairs Preneet Kaur has expressed grief over the demise of Satguru Jagjit Singh. Preneet called up Sant Jagtar Singh, son-in-law of the late Satguru, and conveyed her condolences.

“We stand by the Namdhari Durbar in this hour of grief,” she said. She described the Satguru as “a saint of very high order and a spiritual guide who showed the way of peace”. Preneet recalled the Kuka Movement, the first organised struggle for independence initiated by Satguru Ram Singh ji.

PUNJAB CHIEF minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed grief over the death of Namdhari sect head Satguru Jagjit Singh on Thursday evening. The chief minister announced a public holiday on Friday as a mark of respect to the spiritual leader. In  his condolence message, he recalled the valuable services rendered by the Satguru in ushering in an era of communal harmony, brotherhood, peace and amity in the country.”Satguru Jagjit Singhji was a spiritual ambassador and an eminent social reformer who played a proactive role in eradicating social evils such as female foeticide, dowry and drug addiction,” Badal said.He said Satguru would be remembered for his humility, compassion and idealism. Describing the Satguru as an institution in himself, Badal also remembered his contribution as a philanthropist in education, health, farming, especially in the cultivation of vegetables, fruits and flowers besides promoting music and sports. “In the death of Satguru Jagjit Singhji, the nation has lost one of the most revered religious personalities who acted as a beacon to guide the destiny of mankind in a materialistic society by inspiring people to tread on the path of spirituality,” Badal said. All educational institutions, offices, boards and corporations in Chandigarh and in Punjab will remain closed on Friday as a mark of respect to the religious leader.Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh said Satguru’s death was a loss to humanity. He said the Satguru was the guiding force not only for the Namdhari durbar but also for mankind. Party general secretary and Dhuri MLA Arvind Khanna said Satguru’s death had created a vacuum in the spiritual and religious leadership.