| Family Note | Jordmela: Gurdwara Sahib Greentown (Ashby Road), Ipoh on 3/4/16, 6.15am-8.15am | Malaysia
“He planned his funeral like someone planning a wedding,” noted a granthi in a Melbourne gurdwara.
Malaysian-born Master Darshan Singh passed away on 26 March 2016. He was 83. The observationa above was shared with Asia Samachar by a family member.
We share a note from the family.
On 26 March 2016 Master Darshan Singh passed away peacefully in his home in Melbourne, Australia. He was born in Ipoh, Malaysia, on the 8 July 1933 to Sardar Uttam Singh and Sardarni Amar Kaur.
He had his early education at the Anglo Chinese School in Ipoh, Perak. After completing his Senior Cambridge at St Michael’s Institution, he started as a temporary teacher at Guru Nanak Institution (GNI) in Ipoh. He completed his teachers training in 1957 and started his first stint as a teacher in Pasir Putih.
He eventually became headmaster at the Khalsa Punjabi School in Taiping, Perak, in 1972. He also had a short stint as a second lieutenant in the Malaysian Territorial army.
Master Ji’s community service roots dates back to his time in Malaysia where he served in many roles in the Rotary Club, Boy Scouts and a cooperative society. He was awarded the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian by the Sultan of Perak for his service to the community.
He arrived in Melbourne in 1986 and spent the next 25 years serving the Sikh community in various ways.
He gave relentless dedication and service to the Sri Guru Nanak Satsang Sabha (SGNSS) or Blackburn Gurdwara when it was in Ferntree Gully and then in Blackburn. In addition, he provided strong leadership and service during its formative days and later during some very difficult times.
His achievements at SGNSS include:
- Brought stability and improved services for the community to enjoy
- Had the insight to purchase four adjoining properties on behalf of the Gurdwara.
- Initiated the Library and School. He mooted and started discussions with the State Government which resulted in a massive grant to refurnish and rebuild the Punjabi school at the present location.
- Was instrumental in making Punjabi a VCE Language of study. VCE is Victoria Certificate of Education, akin to Form 6 in Malaysia.
- Set up the Guru Granth Sahib Academy in Melbourne which originated from Malaysia.
He also initiated and strongly supported the Sikh Naujwaan Movement in Melbourne.
He served for seven years as Secretary of the Keyborough Gurdwara and also served for seven years on the Ethnic Community Council for South East Region.
During his time as SGNSS president, he strongly supported the Sikh interfaith movement and the Sikh Welfare Council.
He was a very strong supporter of the Victorian Sikh Association and was always engaged in a strong bond between the two organisations.
In 2014, Master Ji received his Communitarian Award in the Annual Victorian Sikh Association dinner.
His real love was to serve and disseminate the message of his guru, Guru Granth Sahib.
Master Ji will be missed dearly by his family and all those who knew him. His faith and passion for endlessly serving the community will be forever be cherished and remembered.
Programme:
Melbourne , Australia
28 March to 3 April – Kirtan Diwan from 7.00pm- 7.45pm followed by Guru ka langar in Gurdwara Sahib Blackburn
2nd April (Saturday) Aramb of Akand Path Sahib at 5.00pm
4th Aril (Monday) Bhog of Akand path Sahib followed by Rehras Sahib and Kirtan Diwan from 5.30pm- 8.00pm
Malaysia
(Asa-Di-Waar and Kirtan at Gurdwara Sahib Greentown (Ashby Road) on Sunday, 3 April 2016 from 6.15am to 8.15am.
Breakfast will be served.
Contact: Dr. Anildev Singh Malhi 016.5671267, Manjeet Kaur Dhillon 012.5252897
With fond memory & love from:
Wife: Madam Sarjeet Kaur
Children (Spouses in brackets):
Kiranpal kaur
Daljeet Singh (Roopal Kaur)
Nirmall Kaur (Late Manmohan Singh)
Grandchildren
Manvina Kaur, Eshwar Singh, Himmath Singh
Spouses, Grandchildren, a host of relatives, friends & Sangat
Please treat this as a personal invitation.
Asia Samachar | Entry: 1 April 2016, 19:00 |
