PATH DA BHOG: 13 Oct, 2019 (Sun), 10am – 12pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya | Malaysia
Basant Singh Gill (Sultan), (1957-2019), Sentul
BASANT SINGH GILL
s/o Late Sardar Swaran Singh Gill (Mehna) & Late Sardarni Bachan Kaur Dhaliwal
Age: 62 years old
Born: 30 June, 1957
Departed: 30 September, 2019
Brothers/ Spouses:
Awtar Singh Gill (Motorola) / Jas Bir Kaur Sidhu
Nirmal Singh Gill (TNB) / Harcharan Kaur Sidhu
PATH DA BHOG: 13 Oct, 2019 (Sun), 10am- 12pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya | Malaysia
Contact:
Savin Gill 016-2964670
A.S. Gill 012-3112091
We sincerely thank family members, relatives and friends who were with us during the last rites of Basant Singh Gill. Please treat this as a personal invitation.
| Entry: 4 Oct 2019 | Source: Family
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
Thousands gathered for services for Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal at the The Berry Center of Northwest Houston on October 2, 2019. Thousands gathered for funeral services for Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal at the The Berry Center of Northwest Houston on October 2, 2019. Deputy Dhaliwal was fatally shot while conducting a traffic stop on Friday afternoon. Photo by Sharon Steinmann/Harris County Sheriff’s Office
By Dylan McGuinness and St. John-Barned-Smith | HOUSTON CHRONICLE | US |
One of the common refrains from those attending memorial services for fallen Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal: His importance to younger Sikhs growing up in Houston and America generally.
“I think he was a hero to the next generation,” Sartaj Singh Bal said moments before the services Wednesday morning for Dhaliwal, a 10-year veteran of the sheriff’s office who was killed Friday in an ambush after a routine traffic stop.
As thousands of people filed into the Berry Center in Cypress to pay their respects to Dhaliwal, the Sikh community called on police agencies and the military to carry his legacy.
Dhaliwal was Harris County’s first Sikh deputy and garnered national attention for winning approval in 2015 to wear his turban and beard on duty. The religious accommodation policy was a tremendous feat of visibility and honor for Sikhs in Houston and across the nation.
Gurvinder Singh, a New York Police Department officer who traveled to the memorial service, said Dhaliwal’s actions inspired him to seek similar approval in New York.
“He was a motivation to a lot of guys here,” said Singh, president of the Sikh Officers’ Association. “Even though we lost an officer, you’re going to see a lot more Sikh officers out there, and serving our community.”
The memorial on Wednesday included a Sikh service, and then one held by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Army Capt. Simratpal Singh said at the Sikh ceremony that Dhaliwal would want them to “keep pushing.”
“Our lion may be gone physically, but his legacy of selfless service and of breaking down barriers will continue to live on,” Simratpal said.
At the law enforcement service, about an hour and a half later, former Sheriff Adrian Garcia, who hired Dhaliwal, spoke directly to the slain deputy’s father.
“All he wanted to do was make you proud. And he did so, beautifully,” said Garcia, now a Harris County commissioner. “When you were watching, when you couldn’t see him. He was carrying your heart, your values, your name, your respect, into this incredible community.”
Current Sheriff Ed Gonzalez added, “Sandeep has brought this entire community together, in a very powerful way, in a way only Sandeep could do.”
Others who spoke at Dhaliwal’s memorial also emphasized the deputy’s commitment to service.
“Service to other human beings was center to his life,” said Hardam Singh Azad, the chairman of the Gurdwara Sikh National Center.
Amy Lasko, a community member and friend of Dhaliwal’s, urged unity and friendship that the deputy exemplified.
“He would not want us to give in to the darkness,” she said.
Singh, the army captain, said the thousands there to mourn Dhaliwal’s loss were drawn by his “warm embrace, his contagious smile, and his unrelenting and unwavering high spirits.”
“He was humble, fearless, not dissuaded by negativity,” Singh said. “He truly saw the human race as one, he spoke the language of love.”
Azad grew emotional at times in saying Dhaliwal’s legacy would be etched in hearts and minds forever.
On Friday, in the hours after Dhaliwal’s death, Azad said the deputy embodied the Sikh values of service.
It’s one thing to wear the turban and beard, he said. It’s another to live through and through as a Sikh. Dhaliwal did that, be said.
“Even in his death, he has brought a tremendous sense of pride among Sikhs, Americans, and people worldwide,” Azad said.
Sen. Ted Cruz said Dhaliwal was emblematic of the best Houston has to offer.
“He leaves behind an unmistakable and beautiful legacy of a life marked with service and devotion to others,” Cruz said.
In the wake of Dhaliwal’s death and at a candelight vigil Monday in his memory, friends and those who knew him remembered him as a strong-willed leader, a devoted Sikh and an eternal optimist.
Dhaliwal’s alleged killer, Robert Solis, is in jail on a capital murder charge and will likely face a death sentence if convicted.
Solis had a violent past and active arrest warrants when Dhaliwal pulled him over Friday for running a stop sign. After what appeared to be a casual conversation, authorities said Solis ran up and shot him from behind.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
The Malaysian Gurdwaras Council with the strong support of Gurdwaras is organising programmes in conjunction with the 550 Years Parkash Divas of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji which falls on 12th November 2019. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji is the founder of Sikhism. Guru Ji had planted the seeds of Sikhi which were then nurtured by the 8 Gurus that followed culminating in Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji completing the Sikhi mission by creating the Khalsa Panth in 1699 by administering Khande De Pahul Da Amrit.
The following programmes have been carried out or will be carried out beginning on 23/11/2018 and ending on 12/11/2019:
1. The 550 years Parkash Divas of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Semagam was launched at the National level at Gurdwara sahib Subang, Petaling Jaya and at the same time in most Gurdwaras in Malaysia at 11.00 AM nationwide where all the congregation recited JAPJI SAHIB DA PAATH before doing the Arambhta ARDAS. The THEME for the One Year celebration beginning 23/11/2018 is:
2. JAPJI SAHIB Viakhia classes were launched in about 40 Gurdwaras from middle December 2018. These Viakhia classes were successfully completed by end of June 2019. There was tremendous response from Sanggat for this “Dhur Ki Banee” JAPJI SAHIB classes and to understand the message of enlightenment contained in it.
3. Due to many requests from Sanggat, the JAPJI SAHIB Viakhia classes were then continued as Gurbani Viakhia classes. The 2nd phase was launched in the 2nd week of August 2019 covering Ang 8 to 13 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, topics being “SO DAR, SO PURKH, SOHILA”. This Gurbani classes are ongoing now and are expected to be completed by November 2019.
4. Grand Semagam from 7/11/2019 to 10/11/2019.
In conjunction with the 550 years Parkash Divas of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji a grand Semagam is being organised jointly by MGC and Tatt Khalsa Dewan Selangor with support of all Gurdwaras from 7/11/2019 to 10/11/2019. The venue for the programme is GURU NANAK DARBAR, TATT KHALSA DIWAN SELANGOR.
Renowned Raagi Jathas from India are being specifically being brought in for this final programme. All Sanggat must make every effort to attend this Grand Finale Semagam.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
The highest two ranking Sikh officers in the Indian Air Force (IAF) were involved in a change of command.
Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora on Tuesday (1 Sept 2019) took over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, the second-highest-ranking officer in the IAF.
The day before, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa retired. Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria took over as 26th chief. Birender, a Kargil war veteran and first-rate fighter pilot, took office on 31 Dec 2016.
In October 2018, Harjit was made Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), South Western Air Command at Gandhinagar.
He was commissioned in the IAF as a fighter pilot in December 1981.
Harjit has rich and diverse experience of accident-free operational flying which includes MiG 21, MiG 29 and other aircraft in IAF inventory, including helicopters. He is a meritorious graduate of Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment, Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College. He is also Master of Philosophy in Defence and Strategic Studies.
Mohamad Sabu receives courtesy call from Chief Of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa – Photo: Malaysian Mindef
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
Shah Alam Naujawan’s visited St Jude’s Old Folks Home – Photo: Supplied
By Shah Alam Naujawans | REPORT | MALAYSIA |
Sewa is not something that needs to be done in the Gurdwara alone. It can also be done outside the Gurdwara’s ground. Alone or in a group, sewa (selfless service) can be done anytime, anywhere. What better way to do something for the charity is to show some love and kindness to the community.
The Shah Alam Naujawan’s visited St Jude’s Old Folks Home a recent Saturday (21 Sept 2019). A couple of parents, too, went along to support the visit. The Naujawans (youth) served food made at the gurdwara to the elderly occupants at the old folks home.
Established in 2006, this home currently has 38 occupants, mostly due to old age. Some of them have various illness and require attention and special care.
The home may not many facilities, but it provides a roof and food to the occupants. Even though the occupants have their own problems, they help each other, making the home a better place to live in.
While we were there, we saw them helping to feed fellow occupants who were unable to move. It surely takes a strong person to do a job like this.
The Shah Alam Naujawan leader Dr Thesdave Singh said: “The concept of sewa should not be about doing sewa for the Guru Ji, but for all. It serves to remind us of the values being passed on through generations. We call upon Shah Alam youth to join in and support us in future events. Together, let’s make a difference.”
RELATED STORY:
(Asia Samachar, 30 Oct 2018)
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
“All I know is I lost my hero…He take (sic) care of me after his mother passed away last year. After that, he take care of me like he’s my dad.”
These were the words of Pyara Singh Dhaliwal when asked by the media to comment on the loss of his son Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal.
The 41-year old police officer, the first ever Sikh officer to wear a turban in Texas who doubled up as humanitarian warrior, was shot and killed in the line of duty on 27 Sept.
The family of slain deputy visited the site of his makeshift memorial yesterday (Monday) for a prayer.
Traffic was shut down Monday afternoon for a half-hour on West Road near Willancy Lane, the area the deputy was fatally shot Friday. Sirens were blaring as several Harris County deputies escorted Dhaliwal’s family and friends to the site of his makeshift memorial, reported a local media portal.
A beautiful sketch by InkQuisitive
Outpouring of grief and and admiration for the deputy is flooding the social media, a sign of how much the local community cherished Sandeep’s role.
“Harris County Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal was a hero and a trailblazer who selflessly served his community every day. @DrBiden and I are keeping his family and loved ones in our hearts,” tweeted Joe Biden, a US presidential candidate for the 2020 elections, who served as deputy president under President Barrack Obama.
Sandeep also acted as the homeland security director of humanitarian agency United Sikhs.
United Sikhs have established a fund for Deputy Singh’s wife and three young children to help support their educational needs at this time. Go here.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
SASKAAR / CREMATION: 12pm, 1st Oct 2019 (Tuesday), at Kampung Tunku Crematorium. Cortege leaves No 47, Jalan SS 7/8, Kelana Jaya, Petaling Jaya at 11am | Malaysia
Madam Par Kaur (1949-2019), Petaling Jaya
Madam Par Kaur d/o Santa Singh
With a heavy heart, I wish to inform that Madam Par Kaur d/o Santa Singh ( Beloved sister and aunt) has left us this afternoon , 30th Sept 2019
Saskaar / Cremation:12pm, at Kampung Tunku Crematorium. Cortege leaves No 47, Jalan SS 7/8, Kelana Jaya, Petaling Jaya at 11am
Contact: Jagjit Singh 017-8852641
| Entry: 30 Sept 2019 | Source: Family
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Asia. How to reach us: Facebook message or WhatsApp +6017-335-1399. Our email: editor@asiasamachar.com. For obituary announcements, click here]
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) recognised the lifetime contribution of scholar Dr Chatar Singh when it appointed him an emeritus professor.
The 90-year old retired academician was the backbone of the university’s School of Physics and Mathematics which he helped establish in 1969.
Born in Taiping, Perak, in 1929, the conferment last week (24 Sept) was the icing on the cake for the son of a self-employed private taxi driver and housewife who have made many valuable contributions to the Penang-based university.
“I am extremely happy and I feel extremely lucky,” he told Asia Samachar when asked how he felt on the conferment.
In the conferment citation, Dr Chatar was recognised as the founding father of Universiti Pulau Pinang and USM as well as ‘fully responsible’ for the establishment of the School of Physics and Mathematics.
“The role and contribution of Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh in the history of USM’s establishment is immense,” USM School of Physics Dean Prof Dr Azlan Abdul Aziz said in the citation. “Since the establishment of USM, the university has been renowned for its innovative approach to higher education and administration.”
Dr Chatar was noted for his direct involvement in several USM ‘brainchild’ initiatives, including the Geophysics and Biophysics Studies program, currently known as Medical Physics, which was the first in Malaysia. The program led to USM producing the first Ph.D graduate in Physics in Malaysia.
The eldest of the seven siblings, Chatar joined University Malaya, Singapore, where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree (First Class Honours) and a Master of Science (Plasma Physics). He then won the Queen’s Scholar scholarship to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in X-ray Crystallography at the University of Cambridge in 1957.
When he completed his Ph.D in 1961, Dr. Chatar joined University Malaya in Kuala Lumpur as a lecturer in Physics. In 1969, he was invited by the late Hamzah Sendut, USM’s first Vice Chancellor, to be in-charge of the development of studies in Physics and Mathematics at Universiti Pulau Pinang.
He was later appointed as the Foundation Professor of Physics at the School of Physics and Mathematics, Universiti Pulau Pinang in April 1970 and as the Professorial Dean of the School of Physics and Mathematics, Universiti Sains Malaysia until 1977, according to the conferment citation.
He retired in 1984 on attaining the mandatory retirement age of 55, but still rendered his services to USM on a contract basis until 1990.
Historian Dr. Ranjit Singh Darshan Singh is believed to be the first Malaysian Sikh to be conferred the emeritus professor title, which he received from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). He was the first in the field of humanities.
In the field of sciences, Dr Chatar is believed to be the first from a Malaysian public university. AIMST University professor, vice chancellor and CEO Dr Harcharan Singh Sandhu is also an emeritus professor.
The title Emeritus/Emerita Professor is bestowed upon an eminent retired academic in recognition of their work and distinguished service.
Chatar Singh (third from left) with USM VC and the team – Photo: Supplied
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
Former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh seems to be the preferred person for the opening of the Kartarpur corridor as Sikhs globally prepare to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi today (30 Sept) announced that Pakistan has decided to extend an invitation to Manmohan for the inauguration of the Kartarpur corridor, which is scheduled to be opened in November.
“Kartarpur corridor is an important project, the prime minister has a personal interest in it,” said Qureshi in a video message, reported The Dawn. “After consultations, Pakistan has decided to invite Manmohan Singh to the inauguration, who we hold in high regard. He will represent the Sikh community.”
“On behalf of the government, as the foreign minister of Pakistan, I invite him to attend the inauguration of the Kartarpur corridor,” said Qureshi, adding that the government also intends to send Singh a formal written invitation.
The invite comes at a time of heightened war of words between neighbouring India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue.
The Pakistan newspaper also added that the foreign minister also invited Sikh yatris in his message, saying: “We also await the Sikh yatris […] to come and take part in the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak.”
Pakistani project director Atif Majeed had earlier said the visa-free border crossing from India to Kartarpur, Pakistan, would be inaugurated on Nov 9, just ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Baba Guru Nanak on Nov 12.
It was also announced that Pakistan has agreed to allow 5,000 Sikh pilgrims from India to visit on a daily basis the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Narowal through the Kartarpur corridor.
Pakistan has kept the corridor project insulated from the recent tensions with India over annulment of Article 370, subsequent repressive actions in occupied Kashmir and intensified ceasefire violations on the Line of Control. The project had also remained unaffected by the previous episode of escalation between the two sides following the Pulwama attack in February, the report added.
On 29 Nove 2018, Paksitan Prime Minister Imran Khan had performed the groundbreaking of the long-awaited corridor connecting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur area of Narowal district to Dera Baba Nanak in India’s Gurdaspur district.
A large number of Sikh yatris ─ both local and Indian ─ along with Indian Minister for Food Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Minister for Housing Hardeep S. Puri, Indian Punjab Minister of Local Government, Tourism, Cultural Affairs, and Museums Navjot Singh Sidhu, and Indian journalists and foreign diplomats are attending the ceremony.
Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed, and Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi are also in attendance.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
Chatar Singh (third from left) with USM VC and the team – Photo: Supplied
Conferment citation by University of Sciences Malaysia’s School of Physics dean Prof Dr Azlan Abdul Aziz for the Conferment of Emeritus Professor to Dr Chatar Singh at the university’s 57th convocation on 24 September 2019
EMERITUS PROFESSOR
YBHG. DATO’ DR. DATO’ DR. CHATAR SINGH A/L BERIAM SINGH
1. Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh is the founding father of Universiti Pulau Pinang and Universiti Sains Malaysia. He is fully responsible for the establishment of the School of Physics and Mathematics, beginning with staff recruitment, planning and organising of the academic curriculum for bachelor’s honours degree for the School of Physics and Mathematics, and providing guidelines, rules and regulations for the University to meet all aspects of the newly established academic institution in 1969.
2. Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh was born in Taiping, Perak on 9 September 1929 to a self-employed private taxi driver and a housewife. He is the oldest of seven siblings. He regularly changed schools during his early education, from Nibong Tebal to Kamunting and Tanjong Rambutan to Anderson School Ipoh, Perak, before pursuing his studies at University Malaya, Singapore. After obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree (First Class Honours) and a Master of Science (Plasma Physics) from the same university, he was a recipient of the Queen’s Scholar scholarship to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in X-ray Crystallography at the University of Cambridge in 1957.
3. Upon completion of his Ph.D in 1961, Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh joined University Malaya in Kuala Lumpur as a lecturer in Physics until his promotion to a Reader in Physics in 1968.
4. In 1969, he was invited by the late Tan Sri Hamzah Sendut (USM’s first Vice Chancellor) to be in-charge of the development of studies in Physics and Mathematics at Universiti Pulau Pinang. He was later appointed as the Foundation Professor of Physics at the School of Physics and Mathematics, Universiti Pulau Pinang in April 1970 and as the Professorial Dean of the School of Physics and Mathematics, Universiti Sains Malaysia until 1977.
5. He retired in 1984 on attaining the mandatory retirement age of 55, but still rendered his services to USM on a contract basis until 1990. Throughout his service, he was involved in leading various national and international organisations, such as the President of the Institute of Physics Malaysia and President of the Asian Physical Society. In 1985, he was conferred the honorary title of Dato’ Paduka Mahkota Perak (DPMM) by Sultan Azlan Shah, which carries the title ‘Dato’.
6. The role and contribution of Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh in the history of USM’s establishment is immense. Together with the late Tan Sri Hamzah Sendut, the late Dr. Francis Morsingh and the late Dr. E. Balasingham, Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh was responsible for helping to design USM’s common academic and administrative infrastructure structure for the 3 main schools of study: the School of Physics and Mathematics, the School of Chemical Sciences and the School of Biological Sciences. He was also responsible for introducing the concept of ‘School’ instead of ‘Department’ with multidisciplinary subjects related to each discipline with the late Dr. Morsingh and the late Dr. Balasingham. This multidisciplinary approach enables USM to create several positions for academic staff who have demonstrated excellence in research and teaching to be promoted without having to wait for vacancies. USM is the first Malaysian university to introduce appropriate disciplines with specialised group research laboratories to encourage active group research in place of the +traditional individual research.
7. Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh has played a role in the history of USM by establishing the University Staff Golf Club. For the record, the diplomacy in golf has played a minor role for USM to be based at the magnificent Minden Barracks military base camp which overlooks the sea instead of at Sungai Ara. The story of the land transfer at a ringgit remains an anecdote in conversations about the Minden campus to this day.
8. Since the establishment of USM, the university has been renowned for its innovative approach to higher education and administration. Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh was directly involved in several USM ‘brainchild’ initiatives. The Geophysics and Biophysics Studies program (currently known as Medical Physics) at the School of Physics is the first in Malaysia. Both programs received tremendous response from students and related industries. USM produced the first Ph.D graduate in Physics in Malaysia (Dr. Donald Chuah Guan Siong, supervised by Dr. Ratnalingam) who pioneered the study of solar cells in USM; thus, leading USM to become the first university in the region whose staff member was awarded by the French government with the Chevalier of the Ordre des Palmes Academiques (Knight of the Order of Academic Palms). Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh is also responsible for establishing the X-ray Crystallography Research Lab, which is an integrated research center for USM and international research groups of various fields.
9. Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh has a special ability in identifying the potential of a staff. During his tenure as the Dean at UPP / USM, he guided several individuals in the process of self-development. For example, Dr. R. Ratnalingam, a Rhodes Scholar from Oxford University, is the first full-time staff member of Universiti Pulau Pinang. He rose to be Professor of Solid State Physics and Dean of the School of Physics, who then retired as the Director and President of Penang Medical College. Another notable figure is Prof. Emeritus Dr. Fun Hoong Kun, a Ph.D graduate of Purdue University, who led the Crystallographic Research Group which achieved ‘top and most productive scientist’ status in USM, Malaysia as well as other OIC member state countries according to the reports released by MASTIC MOSTI and COMSTech OIC. In recognition of Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh’s role and contribution in crystallography and his career as a researcher, Prof. Emeritus Dr. Fun made a special dedication to Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh in a press release on 9 September 2009, in honour of his 80th birthday.
10. Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh was an exemplary model of cooperation with external parties, both government and industries in establishing a foundation for outcome-oriented research. A notable achievement is his cooperation with the Penang State Government in determining the best quality of sand in Kedah that assisted Schott Glass in establishing a plant in Penang, providing employment opportunities to state residents and research opportunities for USM.
11. His passion in the study of Physics and in the development of USM did not end upon his retirement in 1990. As a sign of his unending support and dedication to USM and the field of Physics, he willingly presented the gold medal award to the best achiever in Physics. In fact, he is the only Founding Dean to award a gold medal at every USM convocation ceremony. Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh has also set up a Penang Sikh Education Fund which provides financial assistance to poor students of Sikh descent and as a recognition and reward to outstanding students in major public examinations in Penang schools.
12. He continued to serve the nation when he was appointed as the Royal Commissioner of the Royal Commission of Inquiry from 1991 to 1993 by Sultan Azlan Shah to investigate the tragedy of fire and explosion of Bright Sparklers Sdn. Bhd. fireworks factory which killed 26 lives and damaged property within 7 km radius.
13. In 1995, Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh was appointed as a Foundation Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM). He was appointed by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohammed. Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh later served as ASM Council Member until 1999.
14. Since 2000, Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh has been focusing on helping the Penang state government and the community, in particular, the Sikh communities. He has served as a Member of the State Unity Advisor, State Government Consultative Forum and member of Audit in RLKA USM Program. He has held various positions such as Chairman, President or Advisor of the Association of Residents, Sports and Sikhs of Penang as well as Malaysia. He also served as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Silicon Technology Institute, Penang.
15. In 2010, the School of Physics celebrated with Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh at an appreciation ceremony for donating his books collection of Physics, Mathematics, Computers and Crystallography to the Physics Resource Center (Physics Mini Library), hitherto used by undergraduates and postgraduates.
16. Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh’s persistence in his unending contribution to USM and the local community would not have been possible without the support of his wife Datin Kewal Rattan Balwant Singh. The beautiful couple was blessed with 4 children. With the upbringing and guidance of both Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh and his wife, all of the children have become medical doctors. One of his children followed her father’s footsteps and took up the position as a lecturer of USM and is now Professor Gurjeet Kaur.
17. The buildings currently occupied by the School of Physical Sciences and the Workshops were designed and supervised by Dato’ Dr. Chatar Singh and are based on ideas he gave to the university appointed architects. The floor-loadings of the research laboratories were from his research findings of British standards for university buildings. Even the Biophysics laboratory needing radiation protection were built to those specifications. He was guided by the recommendations of the Royal Institute of British Architects, RIBA. These buildings have stood the test of time and are a testimony to a physicist’s contributions to the university.
The Dean of the School of Physics, Professor Dr. Azlan Abdul Aziz,
57th Convocation of University of Sciences Malaysia,
24 September 2019.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
