Ramesh Singh

Although, there are not many Sikhs and Hindus left in Pakistan in the present day disturbed conditions, yet the holiest among the Sikh shrines being situated there the Sikh population can be seen in the specific towns and near those shrines which are visited by the devotee Sikh from all over the world. Thus, when a Sikh gets an honourable position in Pakistan, he definitely creates happy news for the Indians and a matter of pride for the Sikhs. S. Ramesh Singh Arora is one such Sikh of Pakistan who has emerged as a Pakistani Sikh politician. He was born in Karachi and became popular among Sikhs for social and religious activities. When partition took place in 1947, most of the people of Arora family left Pakistan, but his grandfather could not do so because of his friend Hayat Khan Baloch.

Hayat Khan assured him that there will no problems in staying back. Arora family stayed in Layalpur (now Faislabad) and then in 1965 moved to Nankana Sahib, a holy city for Sikhs. It was here that Ramesh spent his childhood and got his education. He received a Master Degree from Lahore Punjab University 1997 and then started working with the World Bank as a micro finance and institutional development specialist. As a social worker he started his NGO in 2008, and it was this period which brought him nearer to Ehsan Iqbal, the Pakistan Muslim League Leader and Federal Minister. Ehsan Iqbal helped him in launching his political career and getting him assembly nomination. When he was nominated as a member of Pakistan’s Punjab Province Assembly, he became the first Sikh to get this position. Whereas, he became popular as a social activist, he also endeared himself among the Sikhs by working for the protection of their rights and aspirations. He was mainly instrumental in getting Anand Marriage Act passed. He is member of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and a Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan Sikh Council. He frequently visits India and remains in touch with Sikh leaders and activities. Thus, being a prominent name in Sikh activities and after gaining a unique position in Pakistan Government, S. Ramesh Singh has made all of us proud of him.