With a heavy heart and profound sorrow, we share the incredibly sad news of the passing of Dr. Harjinder Singh Majhail, a renowned Sikh scholar, educationist, writer, poet, and senior journalist, who loved mysticism and wielded his pen on varied themes related to spirituality and the world diaspora. Dr. Majhail passed away peacefully on 26 Feb 2024 in Derby, UK. His life, spanning 70 years, was a testament to his commitment to service, a journey that took him across the globe, from Amritsar, Chandigarh, Punjab to throughout India to Europe, Ethiopia, China, and the UK, where he shared his wisdom and passion through his knowledge of education and world literature. Dr. Majhail was a man of unparalleled dedication and love, who has left a permanent mark on the lives of everyone who had the pleasure to meet him.
Dr. Majhail was a distinguished scholar who held two doctorates, one in the Philosophy of ‘Charhdi Kala’ and Higher State of Mind in Sri Guru Granth Sahib from the Department of Guru Nanak Sikh Studies at Punjab University Chandigarh, and the second one in the Construction of Complex and Dynamic Sikh Identity in Contemporary Fiction in English from the Department of Humanities at the University of Derby. He dedicated his life to helping others through education and influencing individuals across various walks of life. His career was a tapestry of achievements and dedication, serving as the Director of Education of Chief Khalsa Diwan; Dean at Chandigarh University; Executive Director of Mata Sahib Kaur Colleges; Director Principal at Dagshai Public School; Director Principal of Sacred Dales Group of Schools (under St. Dhian Singh Education Society and MGK Society); Principal of St. Soldier Group of Institutions, Punjab Public School (PPS) Nabha; English lecturer at Khalsa College Sultanpur Lodhi; an English professor at Addis Ababa University; and a researcher at the University of Derby. He believed in better education for all and was a force that set up numerous educational institutions, particularly in India. He also worked as a senior journalist for The Indian Express group of newspapers and dedicated his time to making the lives of people better.
Beyond his professional life, Dr. Majhail was an enthusiastic lover of nature and spirituality, a gifted writer, and an avid sports enthusiast. His hobbies included helping others, writing on a wide range of topics, traveling, playing varied sports, martial arts, Bhangra, staged dramatics, and wrestling (himself being a famous wrestler of Punjab in his youth). He was the President of the Lions Club International Mohali, dedicating himself to the welfare of others. His contributions led him to attain many awards such as the Padam Bhushan Dr. Bhai Vir Singh Award, Saint Bulle Shah Award, Rashtriya Vidya Saraswati Puruskar, Jewel of India Award, etc. He was a beacon of inspiration, his life a testament to the power of education, love, and dedication.
Throughout his life, he published numerous books and articles on literature and philosophy, reflecting his deep intellectual curiosity and his desire to share his knowledge with the world. Some of his key publications in English, Punjabi and Hindi include World of Diasporas: Different Perceptions on the Concept of Diaspora, Japuji: A Gate Way of Liberation, Psychology of ‘Sehaj’ Education in ‘Gurbani’, Japuji: Psychological Study of Five Khands, Echoes of Inner Love, ‘Antar Agan’, Psychology of Education in Bhagvat Gita, ‘Mann Ka Vatayan’, ‘Mann Atam Khashitiz’, to name a few.
Dr. Majhail’s passing is a profound loss to us all and the world, but his legacy lives on. He was not just a loving father, grandfather, brother, son, husband, uncle, and friend; he was a source of inspiration, a beacon of love, and a guide for many. We will forever cherish his wisdom, his spirit, and the joy he brought into our lives.
