Manjit Singh Calcutta

Manjit Singh Calcutta is a renowned name in Akali politic of Punjab, he is not only among the most educated, intellectual faces of Shiromani Akali Dal, but is also among the best public speakers of the party. So, S. Manjit Singh was born on 13th June 1938 in Calcutta where he obtained his school and higher education ending with M.A. English and Law degrees and then worked with multinational companies like Fritz and Singh Ltd. in the field of marketing. Despite the family hotel business in Calcutta, he gained his experience in the corporate sector and it was during his service career that he was transferred in Delhi in 1975. Although, he had an interest in politics right from the student days and remained actively associated with All India Sikh Student Federation, he came to the forefront when during emergency he took a stand against the Government and had to undergo imprisonment. After that, he became a name to recon with in Sikh politics.

He was president of All India Sikh Federation, East India Unit with head quarter at Calcutta, President of Takht Sri Patna Sahib, President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and General Secretary of SGPC for a number of years. From Sikh politics, his entry in Punjab politics took place when he became a close associate of S. Gurcharan Singh Tohra. He became a Minister for Higher Education in the Cabinet of S. Parkash Singh Badal after winning the Assembly Election from Amritsar south (it was first time that an Akali won from this seat). Manjit Singh Calcutta is a role-model Gursikh not merely because of the fact that he went to jail several times for Sikh causes, played a significant role in Punjabi Suba agitation or held important posts in Sikh and state politics, but, also because of his love and dedication for his religion and towards he is co-religionists. Even as a young boy, he attended and then later on organized many Gurmat Training Camps, particularly in Eastern India. These camps were held at Burdwan, Durgapur, Asansol, Patna Sahib, Cuttack, Bhubaneshwar, Dhanbad, Ranchi and Tata Nagar. With his excellent knowledge of Sikh Principles and history he proved to be a worthy preacher of the teachings of this great religion. When Punjabi Sooba Agitation was going on, he was instrumental for organizing a conference outside Punjab at Calcutta in support thereof wherein Sh. Shubanshu Das Mazumdar, International Jurist and Sh. Jyoti Basu were also present. He also managed to release a pamphlet in English justifying the demand for a Punjabi speaking state. He always made efforts to keep the Sikh leaders united and that is why he played a significant role in maintaining best of the relation between S. Gurcharan Singh Tohra and S. Parkash Singh Badal. The great Sikh role-model has always been considered as the best person to explain Sikh religion by communicating with foreign dignitaries and that is why he performed his duty in this regard when Canadian Prime Minister and Queen Elizabeth visited Sri Harmandir Sahib Amritsar. Believing in the principle that a Sikh is always a missionary, S. Manjit Singh Calcutta is still writing articles and contributing to various newspaper, journals and magazines, both in Punjabi and English. His article on Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the universal scripture is a master piece in this regard. Although, he is not active now in Akali politics because of some ideological differences with the present leadership, he still continues to associate himself with Akali Dal and has not accepted the offer of other political parties to join them. With such a dedication, ability and distinguished memories and Gursikh way of living (he is teetotaler Amritdhari Gurshikh) the great Sikh role-model is living in Amritsar with his family. His son and his son-in-law are in hotel business in Amritsar and Calcutta respectively.

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Manjit Singh Calcutta