Noted Sikh philanthropist, Sardar Jagir Singh Mangat died last Friday evening, February 16, at his home in New Orleans, Louisiana, He was 91 years old.
Sardar Ji was one of the most loved and respected individual sin the Sikh community of New Orleans where he had made his home for the last 12 years, His kindness and generosity were hallmarks of his life and his acts of sewa serve as a shining example to everyone.
He was born in village Katani Kalan near Ludhiana, attended college in Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan) and left India for Dar es Salaamin Tanzania KE. Africa in 1925 where he began a nearly 40 year career with British Railway Tanzania.
He married Sardarni Hardyal Kaur in 1933 and they were blessed with six children: Dr, Harjeet Singh, Dr. Balminder Singh, and Problems Dr, Ranji ‘Kaur, Ms. Devinder Kaur, Ms. Jatinder Kaur and Ms. Charanjit ‘Kaur. From his retirement in 1962 to 1982 he lived in Ludhiana where his sewa to the community was without fail. He helped many families financially he spearheaded the construction of a hospital, a veterinary hospital and a girls high school.
‘After moving to New Orleans to be near his son him helped guide the construction of a new Gurdwara Sahib with a generous gift of $125,000.
‘Sardar Mangat Ji will long be remembered for his spirit, his wit and kindness, He touched the hearts of all who met him and his death is a great loss not only to the Sikhs of New Orleans bot to the world.
Condolences to the family and friends of Sardar Ji from World Sikh News.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 21, 1996
