Jo Har Ka Pyara So Sabhna Ka Pyara
Full Name: Bhai Jasbir Singh, Khannewale
Birth Place: Chakri, Pakistan
DoB: 16-8-1944
Parents: Sardar Inder Singh Sardarni Parvati Kaur
Spouse : Bibi Daljit Kaur
Children : Bhai Jagmohan Singh Bhai Jatinder Mohan Singh
Passed away on: 14 Oct 2006
Bhai Sahib Jasbir Singh Ji Khalsa Khannewale was a Puran Gursikh, Brahamgiani, social reformer, philosopher, preacher and raagi. He was the founder of Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Charitable Eye Hospital, Sohana (Mohali), near Chandigarh. Bhai Sahib, affectionately called as "Veer Ji", passed away on October 14, 2006 at the age of 62 at Gurdwara Akal Ashram Sohana. Bhai Jasbir Singh suffered a heart attack when he was at Gurdwara Akal Ashram in Sohana. He was immediately taken to Shri Guru Harkrishan Charitable Hospital, but doctors failed to save his life. He was was awarded the title of “Panth Rattan” (Jewel of the Panth) on October 22, 2006.
S. Hardeep Singh, a member of the SGPC, said Bhai Jasbir Singh Ji had a massive following not only in India but also abroad. His death had created a large vacuum.
Bhai Sahib Bhai Jasbir Singh Ji Khalsa, Khannewale was born in Chakri Village in undivided Punjab. He was two and half years old when his parents shifted to Amritsar during the partition of the country. He got his academic qualification from Sangrur. He used to take keen interest in religious studies since his childhood. Later on he shifted to Khanna and settled his business.
Bhai Jasbir Singh Ji was known for his selfless service to humanity and dedication to the Sikh Panth. He always preached the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib Ji and basic principles of Shabad Guru. During katha, he used to give illustrations from Gurbani from Guru Granth Sahib in true spirit. He was a beloved of millions of Sikhs around the world.
Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Charitable Eye Hospital, Sohana, is known as best Hospital of North India for eye care. It was constructed in 1993. It is now an ultra modern, well-equipped multispeciality hospital. This hospital serves the poor people free of cost irrespective of their caste, creed of religion. It is based on the noble concept "pay if you can".
Despite his ill health in last days, he kept visiting various places in India and abroad to spread the message of Sikhism through Nishkam Kirtan. When I once met him at his residence, Bhai Sahib asked me to say "Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Fateh", without waiting. He said whenever you see a Gursikh, say Fateh as-early-as-you-can. One, who says Fateh first, always gets more love from Guru Gobind Singh Ji.As a social reformer, Bhai Sahib always inspired people for drug de-addiction, eye donation, blood donation.
S. Avtar Singh Makkar, President of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) announced to confer Pant Ratan award to Bhai Jasbir Singh Ji at his Bhog ceremony. The award was presented at Akal Takth Sahib on 4th of August 2007. Bibi Daljit Kaur, widow of Bhai Jasbir Singh received the award from Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar Akal Takht, Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jathedar Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Tarlochan Singh, Jathedar Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, and Avtar Singh, President of the SGPC at Akal Takht. She was given a silver plate, a Sri Sahib, a siropa and a cheque of Rs 5 lakh. Earlier Bahi Sahib was also awarded as "Nishkam Kirtania" by Sri Akal Takhat Sahib.
He was basically inspired by Sant Atar Singh Ji Mastuana Wale. He got inspiration to do katha by Sant Nischal Singh Ji Yamunanagar Wale. Later he also learnt harmonium when he met Sant Scholar Giani Niranjan Singh Ji of Patiala. Despite his popularity and honour given to him by the sangat, he never attached the word sant or baba with his name. He used to recite poems with josh (excitement). So the word Joshi was suffixed to his name.
Gurbani cassettes, Audio CDs, Video CDs and MP3 albums of Bhai Sahib are available in market and can be downloaded free from internet. The best VCD I find is that of "Simran Sadhna".
Just one month before demise of Bahi Jasbir Singh, I met him at his residence. He was unhealthy and taking rest. He blessed me by placing his hand on his head.
Earlier, once I met Bahi Sahib at his residence and requested him to bless me with naam daan. Bahi Sahib instructed me to concentrate on the meaning of first 5 pauris of Japuji Sahib for 30 minutes daily. He said this would develop love for God Almighty in my heart.
He is survived by his wife Bibi Daljit Kaur, and two sons, Bhai Jagmohan Singh and Bhai Jatinder Mohan Singh.
Tributes paid to Bhai Jasbir Singh
Tribune News Service
Kharar, October 14
Rich tributes were paid and a ‘gurmat samagam’ organised on the occasion of the death anniversary of Panth Rattan, Bhai Jasbir Singh Khannewale, here today.
Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, and Avtar Singh Makkar, president SGPC were among those who participated in a day-long event. Panth Rattan title was conferred on Bhai Jasbir Singh posthumously in August this year by Jathedar and the SGPC for his charitable and social contribution to humanity in general and Sikhism in particular.
Bhai Jasbir Singh established Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib (C) Eye Hospital Trust at Sohana in 1983. Since its establishment, over 30 percnt of total surgeries for poor patients are done free of cost every year. The hospital’s eye and multi-speciality wings are operating on a no-profit no-loss basis.
Apart from Giani Jaswinder Singh (Granthi Sri Harmandir Sahib), Gen R.S Chhatwal of Baru Sahib, Bhai Harvinder Singh, Giani Iqbal Singh (Jathedar Sri Patna Sahib), Giani Tarlochan Singh (Jathedar Sri Kesgarh Sahib), prominent raagis performed kirtan throughout the samagam. The Sadhana channel arranged live telecast for viewers.
The secretary of Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib (C) Eye Hospital Trust, Sohana Gurmeet Singh, disclosed that large number of followers from various corners of the country and abroad converged on this occasion. He said the eye hospital has expanded to a multi-speciality hospital with its branches at Sohana, Khanna and Sirhind. Courtesy The Tribune
Panth Rattan awarded
Amritsar, August 4
The Dharam Parchar Committee of the SGPC today conferred Panth Rattan award on Bhai Jasbir Singh Khalsa Khannewale posthumously for his services rendered to the Sikh Panth.
The award was presented to Daljit Kaur, widow of Bhai Jasbir Singh, by Jathedar, Akal Takht, Joginder Singh Vedanti, Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jathedar, Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Tarlochan Singh, Takht Kesgarh Sahib, and SGPC chief Avtar Singh at Akal Takht here. She was given a silver plate, Sri Sahib, siropa and a cheque for Rs 5 lakh.
Chief of the SGPC Avtar Singh announced two awards - Bhai Gurdas and Bhai Mardana Awards - to be given to Sikhs for their selfless service towards the Panth. He said that Bhai Gurdas award would be presented to those preachers who spent their lives in selfless service of Guru and Sikh philosophy. Bhai Mardana award would be bestowed upon those ragis who played a vital role in connecting sangat with shabad through kirtan. Courtesy The Tribune