By Zile Singh

Ambassador(Retd.)

Late Sardar Gurnam Singh Ranu : Headmaster

( 1926 – 2021 )

A journey started from village SarhalaRanuaan, District Jallandhar, Punjab on April 1, 1926 ended successfully on June 6, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada).  Though this 95-year long journey, across the globe, had many ups and downs, pains and pleasures on its zigzag path, yet when the reins were in the able hands of a Master, all trials and tribulations failed to dictate their terms.  Instead, the Master, in his mastery in human relations and hard work taught the upheavals of life to behave according to his instructions written on the class room board.  

Late Sardar Gurnam Singh Ranu, born in an ordinary farmer’s family, did his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Training degrees.  On the basis of these rare qualifications, BA(BT) in those days, he taught for 12 years in village Malaud School. This school used to serve students from at least 24 neighbouring villages. To be a household name in 24 villages is a matter of fame and pride.   Later, he did his Master’s degree in History in 1962 from Punjab University, Chandigarh.After serving for 16 years in Government High School, Banga, he retired as Headmaster in 1984.  Master’s children are always bright in their studies. Two of his sons became medical doctors and the third a bank officer.  He gave high education up to M.A. to his two daughters as well.

Sardar Ji and his spouse came to Vancouver on the sponsorship of their daughter.  The Headmaster, who had taught students to burn midnight oil, could not rest at home. He did different jobs to assimilate himself into the Canadian multicultural society and to lead an independent life without being a burden on the children.  A good teacher is always in the look out of good opportunity.  He did some odd jobs.  Finally, he found a prominent place in the Sunset Indo-Canadian Seniors’ Society. For more than two decades, he served as General Secretary of the Society.  He was a regular member of the Seniors’ Group at the Ross Street Gurdwara Saheb, Vancouver.  He worked in different multicultural committees also. The Vancouver Park Board honoured him with” Volunteer of the Year” Award in 2006. 

Today, though physically, he is no more but to the members of the Society, he will remain the General Secretary for ever. He died in harness.  Due to Covid-19, the Society’s meetings were abandoned.  Unfortunately, he fell down breaking his hipbone at home.  Despite treatment, he could not recover and fell in the arms of Waheguru peacefully.  Though he was following Radha Swami philosophy in private, yet he was a true secularist in his public dealings. Sardar Amrik Singh Mann broke the sad news to me.  Mr. Manjit Dhillon and Giani Gurcharan Singh also followed. In conversation with Mr. Sucha Singh Claire, President of the Society, we agreed that “It is impossible to find a substitute ofHonourable  lateGurnam Singh Ranu.”

My personal association with Ranu Saheb goes back to August 2004 when I joined the Consulate General of India as Deputy Consul General.  The Seniors’ Society celebrated the Indian Independence Day on August 15, 2004.  Along with the Consul General, I was also an invitee as a new-comer in the Consulate.  The way Ranu Saheb conducted the event and the patriotism of the members of the Society overwhelmed me.  I was given a chance to speak.  Among others, I said,

“ Duurdesh ki yad tumhebhiaati tau hogi.

                  Vancouver ki sard ritusabkosatati tau hogi. “

In continuation I said, “Why the pre-fix of the Society is “Sun-Set?” Instead, after meeting you all in a jovial and radiant mood enveloped into the feelings of patriotism, optimism and secularism, the name should be “Sun-Rise.”  All of them agreed with me in unison.  Without fail, the Society has been celebrating the Indian National Days from its inception. 

Gurbani reminds us of the “Impermanence” of everything.  Most of us are frightened of dying because we don’t know what it means to live.  As long as we are frightened of life, we shall be frightened of death. Let us embrace love and life.  It is said, “We enter life, not in utter nakedness, but trailing clouds of glory.” Naked we come, well dressed we go. 

In the passing away of Sardar Gurnam Singh Ranu, I lost an avid reader of my columns in the Link Newspaper. For the peace of his soul the AntimArdas was performed at Ross Street Gurdwara, Vancouver.

Satnaam Sri Waheguru ji. May his Soul Rest in Peace !

Zile Singh is a well respected Columnist, Writer and a Vipassana Meditater. He has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Human Rights.  He can be reached at zsnirwal@yahoo.ca