Sukhdev Singh Laaj

Sukhdev Singh Laaj, a Sikh Preacher and a social activist from Ludhiana, was born on 05.01.1945 at Nankana Sahib (now in Pakistan). As his father S. Jagat Singh, a teacher, died when Sukhdev Singh was very young, the responsibility of bringing up him and his other siblings fell on his monther Bibi Lajwant Kaur. After partition, when the family shifted to Ludhiana, Sukhdev Singh got a diploma in Civil Engineering from Guru Nanak Engineering College, Ludhiana. He served Punjab Electricity Board throughout his life and retired as SDO in 2003. After his retirement, he dedicated his life to social service and promotion of Sikh religion. He associated himself with such organizations like Gurmat Parchar Society, Sikh Missionary College and World Sikh Organisation to go ahead with his social and religious activities. S. Laaj firmly believed that educating the Sikh community is the solution for all Sikh problems.

When Jathedar Akal Takhat Sahib mentioned in his speech on Sirhind Fateh Diwas that each Gurdwara should keep 5% of its receipts only for education, he being a member of Gurdwara Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana, Management, started this practice and with the help of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle made it a movement in Ludhiana and other places. He is a Sikh Role model as he is making sincere efforts to bring Siklighars, Vanjaras and other such tribes, who believe in Sikh religion, in the main stream, so that all these people may feel proud of being Sikhs. He was among the first Sikhs to draw the attention of the Sikh leaders and organizations to this aspect of matter. It was because of his efforts that a book about these people and the miserable positions in which they are living has been compiled. A CD has also been prepared as to attract the attention of the people to this crucial matter. A school for their education has been set up at Ludhiana and is being run by Sri Guru Angad Dev Sewa Society of which he is an active member. This organization is also engaged in other social activities. It is because of his great contribution for this cause that he has been honored by various societies including Alag Shabad Yag International Charitable Trust (Prof. Pooran Singh Dhami Award 2009). This Gursikh is humble, sweet tongued and kind hearted. All these qualities and his services make him a role model. His email is sukhdevsinghlaaj@gmail.com.