PUNJAB CM describes Giani Tarlochan Singh as eminent Sikh Scholar

AVTAR SINGH MAKKAR ALSO MOURNS DEATH

Sri Anandpur Sahib, July 31, 2013: The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Jathedar Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib Giani Tarlochan Singh, who passed away late last night here at his residence following a massive heart attack.

Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that Badal dashed  to Sri Anandpur Sahib and visited Diwan Hall of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib  this afternoon where the body of Jathedar Giani Tarlochan Singh was kept for the  ‘darshan’ of  sangat to enable them to pay their last respects to the great religious personality. On the occasion, the Chief Minister laid the wreath on the body of Giani Tarlochan Singh as a mark of respect and prayed to Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give courage to the bereaved family to bear this huge loss in this hour of grief.

Sharing his heartfelt condolences with the family members especially the Giani Ji’s  wife Avtar Kaur and his son Advocate Hardev Singh, Badal recalled the supreme services rendered by  Giani Tarlochan Singh for the ‘Chardhi Kala’ (well-being) of the Sikh Panth. The Chief Minister described Giani Tarlochan Singh as a great Sikh Scholar who propagated the tenets of Sikhism in every nook and corner of the world through his religious discourses, adding Badal said the void caused due to the death of Giani Tarlochan Singh in the arena of Sikh religious affairs was difficult to be filled.

Badal said, “Giani Ji’s death is a personal loss to him as he often consulted him on several religious matters he was well read and had vast knowledge of Sikh religion and history”.

Meanwhile, General Secretary SGPC Sukhdev Singh Bhaur announced that the cremation of Giani Tarlochan Singh would be held tomorrow at Sri Anandpur Sahib at 10 am and Bhog and Antim Ardas would be held at Diwan Hall of Takht Sri Keshgarh sahib on August 10 from 12 noon to 2 pm.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary KJS Cheema. Prominent amongst other who were present included Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh, President SGPC Jathedar Avtar Singh, General Secretary SGPC Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, MLA Ropar Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Manager Gurdwara  Quila Anangarh Sahib Bhai Jarnail Singh besides Amarjit Singh Chawla, Principal Surinder Singh, Paramjit Singh Lakhowal, Daljit Singh Bhindar (all members of SGPC). Deputy Commissioner Ropar Pardeep Kumar Agarwal and SSP Indermohan Singh were also present on the occasion.

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Amritsar/Jalandhar: Jathedar Avtar Singh Makkar, President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has expressed deep grief on the sudden death of Jathedar of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Giani Tarlochan Singh, who passed away today morning following a cardiac arrest.

To express solidarity towards the departed soul, the SGPC offices were closed today for a day and prayers were also organised.

Makkar in a message said that with the untimely sudden death of Giani Ji had given major setback thus they lost the most valuable person who has deep knowledge of the religious matters.

As per the information received here today, the cremation of the departed soul will be held on August 1 at 11 am at Charan-Ganga cremation ground.

Jathedar Giani Tarlochan Singh had also served as head Granthi of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib.

Jathedar Tarlochan Singh, when he felt uneasiness, was at once rushed to Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Multispecialty Hospital where the attending doctors declared him brought dead.