Washington D.C. – SALDEF is saddened by the recent loss of two icons of the Sikh American community: Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany and Sardar Ujagar Singh this past week.
Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany (1926-2020) was born in India and educated in England; before migrating to the U.S in the late 1950s. A graduate of Agra University in India, he completed advanced studies in optics at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, London, and received his Ph.D. from the University of London in 1955. His career has spanned science, entrepreneurship and management, academia, publishing, lecturing, and farming. As a scientist, Dr. Kapany is widely acknowledged as the father of fiber-optics. His research and inventions have encompassed fiber-optics communications, lasers, biomedical instrumentation, solar energy, and pollution monitoring. Additionally, his landmark philanthropy leaves a remarkable legacy of preserving critical art for the Sikh community worldwide and ensuring it is secure for generations to come. He also left an important mark on the field of academics with the supporting and funding for creation of Sikh Studies Chairs at a number of universities including UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, UC Riverside and Cal State East Bay A full bio on Dr. Kapany can be found here.
“Dr. Kapany was a trailblazer and role model for all Sikh Americans, as a pioneering scientist, prolific academic researcher, and dedicated philanthropist,” said SALDEF Co-Founder Manjit Singh. “In 2014, we had the privilege to recognize Dr. Kapany with the Bhagat Singh Thind Community Empowerment Award, to highlight his contributions to the community, specifically his role as a premiere technologist, the highlighting of Sikh Art and the creation of Sikh and Punjab Studies Chairs at universities across the country.”
Sardar Ujagar Singh (1928-2020) came to New York from India in January 1970 with his family. He had a Masters in social work from Delhi University and worked for 30 years in the field, retiring as the Director of Geriatric Care at Westchester Medical Center in 1991. In 1978, along with Dr. Balwant Singh, he started Camp Chardi-Kalaa, which to today, provides an inspirational religious experience for Sikh youth. In those over 40 years, over 5,000 young Sikhs have attended this camp and his contributions have inspired generations of future leaders and social pioneers by promoting seva (selfless service) and chardi-kalaa (eternal optimism). Mr. Singh was recognized with SALDEF’s Bhagat Singh Thind Community Empowerment Award in 2007, for his decades of seva and dedication to Sikh American youth. Through Camp Chardi Kala he has educated and inspired countless Sikh American youth and filled them with pride in their faith. Funeral services for Sardar Ujagar Singh will be held Wednesday Dec 9th and details for all services can be found at: www.facebook.com/campchardikalaorg/
“Sardar Ujagar Singh was an inspirational figure, hero, and role model to young Sikh Americans growing up in this country for the past 40-plus years,” said SALDEF Board Chair Kavneet Singh. “The camp he helped found created a necessary sense of sangat for Sikh youth, and the love he shared with so many was crucial for several generations of Sikh youth in finding strength in themselves, their Sikhi, and their community. He led with tenacity and humility to lift up everyone, and shined as a true example of living in chardi-kalaa (eternal optimism). He always highlighted the success of his campers and their work for the community and embodied what the life of a Sikh should be.”
SALDEF celebrates the lives of these two dynamic and tremendous titans in our community. While we will mourn their loss, we also will celebrate their accomplishments and send out heartfelt condolences and ardaas to their families and loved ones.