Giani Joginder Singh
Tribute to the life of a Great Human
Being and True Devotee
- by: Jagjit Khambe
Giani Joginder Singh Ji breathed his last on Friday 9 may at 8.15am. He passed away just as peacefully as he had lived life itself, leaving behind a spiritual legacy. Universal Target takes time to reflect on the life of this historic missionary.
Since being blessed with spiritual wisdom by �Shahenshah� Baba Avtar Singh Ji in 1962, Giani Ji served with selfless dedication � both in India and abroad � his fourteen years of service at London Bhawan captivated the youth especially. He we one of the most distinguished preachers of our time. His clarity of thought and intimate knowledge of spiritual matters was remarkable, but greater still was the humility with which he coupled this knowledge with noble deeds.
Giani Ji�s aura glowed with a distinct magic as his very soul resonated in the gleam of his eyes. He was a truly charismatic figure available to everybody, at all times. He was empathic, with a soft voice, a loving nature, and caring attitude. His whole being evoked an inevitable air of tranquility. Like the dove itself, garbed all in white, Giani Ji will be remembered as a symbol of peace, humility and tolerance. His legacy exists in these most human of qualities.
In commemorating Giani Ji�s life His Holiness Satguru Baba Hardev Ji described him as a �towering personality� and an �exemplary role model� � someone who would be missed both today and in times to come.
Family Life
Respected Joginder Singh, lovingly addressed as Giani Ji, was born on 3 March 1934 in Burgarhi, District Faridkot, Punjab. He was adorned by his parents Sardar Ganda Singh and Mata Krishan Kaur Ji. It was a family with deep roots in Sikhism, with many members officially initiated into the traditional Sikh echelon � having taken the solemn vows of an �Amrit Dhari� and supporting the principle �5 Ks�.
Faridkot was a princely state under British rule then, and the school curriculum stipulated religious education as mandatory, including daily recital of the Shri Guru Granth Sahib. Giani Ji was therefore exposed to mentoring in traditions of Sikh religion from an early age. After completing 10th grade Metric he joined the Electricity Board where he served until retirement, but his passion for all things spiritual remained steadfast all the while.
Giani Ji was married at a young age to late Surjit Kaur Ji (originally from Jalal). They had three sons, Sukhdev Ji, Hakim Ji, and Nirmal Ji, all of whom are well respected for their sincere character and service.
Spiritual Enquiry
The fascination for spiritual issues was inherent very early on. In his teenage years Giani Ji would spend much time in the service of locally respected figures, such as Sant Arjun Singh, a hermit living just outside the village. Giani Ji would visit him often for tutelage in yogic practices and serve him lassi (a cool yoghurt beverage) upon each visit. Already admired by the villagers for his soft spoken nature, Giani Ji was now being recognized for his spiritual interest as well.
Following the India � Pakistan partition in 1947, Faridkot was one of the very few places where peaceful coexistence had not been compromised by extremist behavior; this was expected since it has always been a community with a prevalent humanitarian influence. Post independence, Faridkot become part of the Pepsu state and later merged with Punjab, at which point Giani Ji joined the Punjab Electricity Board as a clerk.
Giani Ji worked alongside four colleges who became not only his good friends but also his fellow devotees. They spent much of their time after work in the ashram of Shri Pandit Kishan Ji, where they engaged in meditation and the recital of hymns from sacred Vedas and spiritual texts. Cleanliness and hygiene were considered key codes of conduct amongst disciples here, as well as a restricted diet excluding meat, onions, ginger, garlic, and the consumption of alcohol. This was a milestone period in Giani Ji�s life � the point at which it is claimed his outlook and fixation for spiritual matters became particularly intense. Respected widely throughout the community, human Joginder Singh was now being addressed as �Giani Ji�.
In October 1956 Giani Ji transferred post to Bhatinda. Alongside his daily work he embarked on a period of intense personal study of the Shri Bhagavada Gita and the Shri Guru Granth Sahib, which he continued even after being promoted to the Mukatsar Branch in 1959.
Spiritual Fulfillment
Whilst in Mukatsar, Giani Ji had the opportunity to meet Naranjan Singh Ji, a devout missionary, with whom he engaged in deep discussion regarding the realms of spirituality. On one such night their dialogue continued through the night up-to 4 in the morning, by the end of which Giani Ji had become so overwhelmed that he insisted on visiting the distinguished preacher Dr. Attar Singh Ji, in Ludhiana � and did so at first light.
So impressed was he with Dr. Attar Singh, Giani Ji began to seek regular acquaintance with him. He realized that his life long search for God would be fulfilled by the True Master himself. It so happened that in 1962 respected Giani Ji was blessed with Spiritual Wisdom.
These were the times of renowned disciples such as Papa Ram Chand Ji, Dr. Attar Singh Ji, Papa Amar Singh Ji (from Patiala), Babu Mahadev Ji, and others, each of whom had a significantly positive impact on Giani Ji. The momentum of attending congregations and meeting devotees grew exponentially and thus Giani Ji became increasingly popular.
An Inspirational Figure
In the same year Giani Ji also met Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji with whom he was to later spend much time, along with Ram Saran Ji, Nirmal Joshi Ji and other contemporaries. Respected Harmohinder Singh (Upashak Ji) was also introduced for the first time. Together they made huge efforts to propagate the Mission�s message to people of Faridkot. Cycling late into the night along treacherous (and often snake infested) roads they would travel to the most remote and smallest of village to participate in congregation.
These efforts saw the numbers of devotees increase with great speed and the villages within the surrounding areas became well established. Recognising the need Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji blessed Faridkot with a Bhawan in 1963, which was to be the fourth in Punjab after Amritsar, Chandigarh and Ludhiana. Thereafter, missionary preaching gathered even more momentum � of which Giani Ji was an integral part. Recognising his immense contribution Giani Ji was asked to reside in the Bhawan in Kotkapura where he served with utmost devotion for the best part of 25 years.
In 1966 Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji officially bestowed respected Giani Ji with the authority to impart �Brahm Gian� � Spiritual Wisdom. In receiving this blessing Giani Ji was seen to become even more humble and uncompromisingly dedicated to living the life desired by the Master. He earned much respect amongst the congregation of Punjab and was invited to tour frequently, which he did whilst still working at the Electricity Board. Often he would take mornings/ afternoons off to attend Satsangs while his colleagues covered for him!
In 1973 His Holiness Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji held a special preachers conference in Ludhiana. It was a momentous occasion at which Baba Gurbachan Ji prased the efforts of Giani Ji before the gathered participants. Rarely has the Satguru sung the praises of a devotee in such a way with such intensity.
The Journey Abroad
In 1976 Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji invited Giani Ji to accompany him on a spiritual tour of Europe. The entourage also included respected Raj Mata Kulwant Kaur Ji, Mangal Sain Ji, Amrik Singh Ji IAS (now the president of the Mission), Dalbir Ji, Saqi Ji] and Upashak Ji amongst others.
On completion of the tour Baba Ji requested Giani Ji to remain in England for a further two months before returning back to India.
In 1989 His Holiness Baba Hardev Ji requested Giani Ji to undertake a spiritual tour of England. It was on the visit that Giani Ji touched the hearts of many of the younger devotees he had met for the first time. Acknowledge this, respected Upashak Ji requested His Holiness Baba Ji to grant England with Giani Ji�s permanent residence. This was to be a massive sacrifice on the part of the Punjab state where Giani Ji�s presence was much needed and appreciated. It was however an appeal that Satguru succumbed to.
After returning briefly to India to seek early retirement and bid his farewells, Giani arrived at London Bhawan on 24 March 1989. This was to be his new home for a period of around fourteen years.
The Beginning of a Spiritual Revolution
Giani Ji�s arrival signaled the beginning of what might be termed a spiritual revolution in the UK. His impact upon devotees of all ages was immediately positive.
Giani Ji�s presence in England raised the energy level of youngsters and adults alike. He was a pillar of strength, a bridge of unity, and an ocean of love. He was a captivating personality whose passion for Nirankar toughed the hearts of every individual in a way that prompted a rethink and awakening in themselves.
It had always been Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji�s wish that the London Bhawan be situated close to the Airport to attract visiting parties both domestically and from abroad. The first step in achieving this was the purchase of London Bhawan in Heathrow, which was due primarily to the initiative of late Partap Singh Ji of Southall and others. With the arrival of Giani Ji as the residing Preacher, the Bhawan became available to all visitors around the clock.
With the enthusiasm of respected Bhag Mal Ji (then the Parmukh � responsible for the London area) and the rest of the congregation, London Bhawan developed into a buzzing haven of spiritual activity. Giani Ji would regular undertake visits to neighbouring cities and towns to uplift and inspire local Satsang with the desired effect. He was dedicated to exclusively propagating the message of the Mission to fervent seekers where they may be, be it by phone, mail, personal visit, and of course by his thoughts through the ether of Nirankar!
In 1991 the first group of students made their home in the company of Giani Ji at London Bhawan. Whilst studying at university in London they were also privileged to receive Giani Ji�s mentoring in all aspects of life. This signaled a new wave of energy in the youth and a snowball effect that encouraged more visitors to the Bhawan in appreciation of Giani Jo�s �Midas Touch�. In doing so London Bhawan gained recognition as the major hub of missionary activity outside of India.
This energy circulated throughout England and was enhanced by the visits of others Saints from abroad also paying tribute to Giani Ji�s inspiration. Soon the Mission was developing in Europe and the younger devotees were particularly encouraged to take part in this activity. Giani Ji and his long established contemporary, Upashak Ji were the driving force in raising spirit and encouraging the enthusiasm of the youth in the regard.
As the momentum continued so many more people the wider community began to visit the Bhawan each week. Giani Ji�s approachable personality and warm regard was moving and most of all magnetic.
He developed close relations and had a huge impact on people�s lives in moments of meeting them; he also established a culture within the youngsters of the Bhawan that was wonderfully unique. Today, everybody that leaves the Bhawan has �Khushian � Be Happy� on the tip of their tongue.
On his 2002 Spiritual Tour to England His Holiness Baba Ji bestowed Giani Ji with the official responsibility of Pramukh of London Bhawan, accompanied by a five member committee of coordinators. This was seen to be necessary to facilitate continued growth of preaching activities within the London area in lie with the increasing numbers of visitors.
A Spiritual Legacy
Since his arrival in the UK Giani Ji established a rapport with the congregations, and in particular the younger devotees, that has instilled a unique enthusiasm and zeal for �Guru Bhagti� and sincere worship. Giani Ji did this not only through his personal motivation but by inspiring others with his passionate nature. His primary impetus was love for Satguru and for Nirankar. Most of all, he showed the potential of what true human beings may achieve in all aspects of life.
Giani Ji�s contribution will be firmly etched in the pages of history and no doubt his example will be recalled many a time in ages to come. His legacy will remain rooted within the hearts of all those that met him, and in the noble actions of those that live by his word � for he would always say that a disciple�s responsibility is to spread the message of the True Master both through word and deed.
Giani Ji has left an indelible mark on every individual so much so that all consider him as being their closest companion and loving mentor. Affectionate and humble in nature, emotions will always be stirred when he is remembered hereafter.