| Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia | 7 May 2016 | Asia Samachar |
Dr Kuljit Singh, former personal physician to the Terengganu royalty, was given a lifetime special award by the Terengganu Indian Association (TIA).
Dr Kuljit, 86, who carries the title Datuk, was the personal physician to the late Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah and his son the late Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah.
Dr Kuljit, who retired in 1983 after a three decade career with the Health Ministry, now runs the Medical Specialist Centre in Jalan Sultan Mahmud in the state.
TIA president Harry Isaacs presented Dr Kuljit with a plaque for his contributions to the state, society and community during the association’s 89th anniversary dinner in Kuala Terengganu recently.
“Dr Kuljit was a live wire in the community and society by helping needy patients while in government service, and thereafter, at his private practice. “He was very helpful one way or another, and contributed immensely to the association to function effectively,” he was quoted in a report in the New Straits Times.
Isaacs added that Dr Kuljit had a big heart for the less fortunate and lower-income group, regularly contributing generously towards the education and welfare of children and women in the community.
“Dr Kuljit was instrumental in the establishment of the education fund four years ago to enable poor but bright students to further their studies.
“Many have gone on to have a successful careers thanks to people like Dr Kuljit,” said Isaacs.
Dr Kuljit has tended to many a VIP, royalty, civil servant and the man-in-the-street, the report added.
In response, Dr Kuljit was quoted in the same report as saying: “I take personal satisfaction in helping those in need. That is why we are here in the first place.”
In 1963, Dr Kuljit became a member of the TIA that was founded by Harry’s father P.C. Isaacs who served as president in 1927 and also established the English Grammar School.
Harry’s brother is Stanley Isaacs, the retired former head of prosecution at the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the report added.
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Can MALAYSIAN GURDWARA COUNCIL-SNMS-COSO-SIKH WELFARE-SWAN-Oher organizations take the necessary steps to
COLLECT INFORMATION OF TRUST FUNDS ESTABLISHED BY INDIVIDUALS/ORGANIZATIONS TO ASSIST
NEEDY SIKHS WHO MAY BE SHORT OF FUNDS AND THUS NOT ABLE TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES.
Information of the FUND and CONTACTS should be given wide publicity so that maximum number can benefit.
GURDWARAS should make regular announcements on the availability of such FUNDS and place on their NOTICE BOARDS for all to see. The same could apply to SIKH NGOs and CLUBS such as AMAN CLUB or SIKH BASED SPORTING ASSOCIATIONS.
Now who will take the lead in collating the information? I have made similar suggestions but sadly there is still little information on the availability of such FUNDS ESTABLISHED TO ASSIST NEEDY SIKHS.
Currently many Gurdwaras/Sikh NGOs/Others still look to Government for assistance while the existing funds remain unused due to their existence probably been CLASSIFIED AS SECRET AND THUS SUBJECT OF ‘OSA’.
I am reasonably certain that this may not have been the intention of those who established such FUNDS but may be their descendants may either not be interested or may have opted not to fulful the wishes of their departed elders. CHANGE OF MIND SET IS NEEDED.
Congratulations for your dedicated services to public .
“Dr Kuljit was instrumental in the establishment of the education fund four years ago to enable poor but bright students to further their studies.
The Sikh community, Gurdwaras and NGOs should take note of this for any future requests for financial assistance for study purposes. There are several such funds which may include those established by Dr.Tara Singh Ji and Mahima Singh Ji both of Seramban, GS Gill Ji [one time Sports King] of KL and possibly other such funds.
Sadly there is little information on who to contact, how to apply and the procedures.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE INFORMATION BE WIDELY PUBLICIZED ON GURDWARA NOTICE BOARDS, WEBSITES IF AVAILABLE AND Sikh NGOs
so that no Sikh youth is deprived of higher education for shortage of funds.
It is also regrettable that while several Gurdwaras/MGC/SNSM and others may have excess funds rotting in Banks as Fixed Deposits the shortsightedness of the Managements do not appear to give due attention to this need.
In most cases the excess funds are just used to renovate the buildings but rarely are the excess funds used to assist educational needs.
My prayers to WaheGuru Ji to give wisdom to the Managements and those in control of funds to change their mindset and make assistance to needy as one of the main functions of their responsibilities.
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