More than 1500 people from across the UK and overseas gathered in the West Midlands to pay their respects to Sardar Nirmal Singh Dhesy, whose funeral took place on Saturday 21st March 2009.
The congregation arrived at Gurdwara Amrit Parchar Dharmik Diwan, Oldbury and from there made there way to the West Bromwich Crematorium where the cremation took place. A Gurdwara service was held at Gurdwara Amrit Parchar Dharmik Diwan after the cremation had taken place.
Sardar Nirmal Singh Dhesy peacefully passed away with family and close friends at his side in the early hours of Friday 13th March 2009, ending his two year battle with cancer. Sardar Nirmal Singh Dhesy left behind his wife and three young children.
Sardar Nirmal Singh Dhesy was born and bred in Birmingham, UK, and was a Sikh youth leader with undying passion for educating and aspiring youth. He was instrumental in starting up Sikh societies in Colleges and Universities across the UK over 20 years ago and continued to support these societies and various other organisations in a voluntary capacity throughout his lifetime. Through his voluntary work at youth camps, Gurdwaras, Universities and Colleges, he inspired countless youngsters into getting involved in voluntary work and become disciplined and proud of their Sikh Khalsa heritage.
Sardar Nirmal Singh Dhesy was one of the founder members of the Sikh Community & Youth Service UK and Sikh Youth Movement UK alongside his brothers, S. Dal Singh Dhesy, S. Amrik Singh Dhesy and S. Hari Singh Dhesy. Sardar Nirmal Singh Dhesy spent over 3 decades doing voluntary work to benefit the community with the AKJ (Akhand Kitani Jatha), BOSS (British Organisation of Sikh Students) and ASHT (Anglo Sikh Heritage Trail), Sikh Dharma (USA), Tarna Dal Harianvela (Punjab) and many other Sikh organisations, from across the world. Nirmal Singh Dhesy was instrumental in encouraging Sikh Youth to join the British Armed Forces and Territorial Army.
Over his lifetime Sardar Nirmal Singh Dhesy was involved in numerous campaigns working with various associations to improve the rights of his fellow citizens including the Anti Apartheid Movement, Ant Nazi League, Amnesty International UK, Committee Against Racism, Yorkshire Group Against Racial Attacks, Community Against Racism, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace.
Sardar Nirmal Singh Dhesy’s many speeches caught the attention of thousands. When he spoke, he had a blend of humour, strength, compassion and a spirit about Sikhism. He was highly regarded amongst both Sikh youth and elders for his Services to the community and was able to bridge the divides between different religions and organisations.
People from various backgrounds and organisations attended Sardar Nirmal Singh Dhesy’s funeral including, Akhand Kirtani Jatha, All India Sikh Student Federation, Anglo Sikh Heritage Trail, Babbar Khalsa, British Organisation of Sikh Students, British Sikh Council, British Sikh Federation, Congress Party, Damdami Taksal, Nihang Sikh Sabha, Nishkam Sewak Jatha, Bhat-Rai, Ramgarhia & Ravidassia community representatives, Gurdwara representatives from across the UK, Shromani Akali Dal, Sikh Awareness Society, Sikh Federation UK, Sikh societies from across the UK, work colleagues from the Royal Mail.
Taken from Sikh Times
Bhai Malkeet Singh - So Dhin Aaven Laaga
