LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): Sardar Manmohan Singh Dhall, a well-known Sikh community leader, has passed away on April 26. He was 89. His funeral, attended by hundreds of relations, friends and admirers, despite Covid restrictions, observed in letter and spirit, took place on April 29 at Moloney Funeral Home in Ronkonkoma.
As is customary among the Sikhs, prayers for the eternal peace of the departed soul, were offered at Gurdwara Plainview where rich tributes were paid to Sardar Manmohan Singh by Varinder Singh Sikka, President of the gurdwara on behalf of the gurdwara management, Mr. Sikka described Sardar Manmohan Singh as a perfect gentleman, always smiling and ready to help anyone. He took keen interest in the gurdwara affairs and helped greatly in the construction of the new building of the gurdwara.
Vikas Singh Dhall, one of the sons of Sardar Manmohan Singh, and chairman of Gurdwara Plainview, described his father as his mentor who guided him in every way. He felt sad that he has now been deprived of the wise counsel of his Dad. He thanked all for their presence at the funeral and at the prayers.
Grandchildren of Sardar Manmohan Singh also paid rich tributes to their grandfather.
Sardar Manmohan Singh Dhall is survived by his wife Sardarni Pritpal Kaur Dhall. Children Inderpal Singh, Harinderpal Singh, Gurinder Kaur and Vikas Dhall. Father-in-law to Manmohan Singh Bhasin, Daman Kaur, Gogli and Indu Dhall. Grandfather to Simardeep, Raymon, Kinsi, Jasmine, Sherry, Angelica, Gurtej, HarSahib & Raunak Dhall. Great-Grandfather to Aarna, Noor and Pavan Singh.
Speaking with The Indian Panorama, Vikas Singh Dhall gave a brief life story of his father. At the Age of 15, Manmohan Singh witnessed the Partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. He joined Army at the age of 17 and took an early discharge to further his professional career and joined Gestetner Duplicators (A British Firm), served there for 20 years.
While working in the company, he married Pritpal Kaur and had four children. During the massacre of 1984 in Indore, India, he had massive financial losses.
In 1987 he decided to move to the US and to fulfill his dream for a better life with his family. After his arrival in the US, he became very active in Local Sikh Community. One of his very passionate things to do was, SEWA (service to community),and he always distributed left over langer (food) to the Sikh and non-Sikh working class youth. Raising a family with Sikh values was his number one priority and he has set an example for many families across the tri-state area of New York. “Sardar Manmohan Singh Dhall leaves us on a path to being humble, working hard and taking care of family”, said Vikas Singh Dhall.