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Hardial Singh Bajaj (born 5 April 1905, in Khanqah Dogran, British India; died 18 September 1967, in Singapore) was a notable figure in Southeast Asia of Indian origin. He was the eldest of six children, born to Mehar Singh and Thakur Devi. Bajaj's first marriage was to Kirpal Kaur, with whom he had seven children. Following her death, she expressed a wish for her younger sister to marry Singh.
In 1933, Hardial Singh Bajaj married Milap Kaur, fulfilling the wishes of his first wife, Kirpal Kaur. Together, they had nine children, in addition to the seven children from his first marriage.
Hardial Singh Bajaj settled in Singapore, where he established a significant business enterprise, commonly referred to as the Bajaj Dynasty.
He later moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, where he became a well-known textile merchant. He was associated with several businesses, including Gian Singh & Co., Hardial Singh & Co., and Hardial Singh & Sons. Upon his arrival in Calcutta, India, he was referred to as the "King of Textiles" by The Statesman. Additionally, he was involved in real estate investment and traded in spices and films.
During World War II in Singapore, Hardial Singh Bajaj was imprisoned and tortured by the Imperial Japanese Army Anti-Espionage Department, who suspected him of being a spy. Sardar Singh Chatwal arranged for his special meals and eventual release. It was rumored that Bajaj was considered for knighthood, but this opportunity was allegedly lost due to an incident involving the importation of shirts that violated the Arrow trademark.
In 1945, during World War II, Hardial Singh Bajaj joined the Indian Independence League. He served as a Special Supply Officer for Subhas Chandra Bose. During the war, he was entrusted with sacks of gold, which he later handed over to the Indian Overseas Bank in Singapore. Jawaharlal Nehru subsequently took possession of the gold on behalf of the Indian government.
Source: Narinjan Singh Bajaj, son of Hardial Singh
A Singapore pioneer. President of the Indian Chamber in Singapore from 1949 to 1953. Source: The Straits Times
Ranjit Singh, popularly known as Sher-e-Punjab or "Lion of Punjab", was the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, which ruled the northwest Indian subcontinent in the early half of the 19th century. He survived smallpox in infancy but lost sight in his left eye. He fought his first battle alongside his father at age 10. After his father died around Ranjit's early teenage years, Ranjit subsequently fought several wars to expel the Afghans throughout his teenage years. At the age of 21, he was proclaimed the "Maharaja of Punjab". His empire grew in the Punjab region under his leadership through 1839.
Kirpal Singh was a spiritual master (satguru) in the tradition of Radha Soami.
Harbhajan, popularly known as Yogi Bhajan and Siri Singh Sahib to his followers, was an Indian-born American entrepreneur, yoga guru, and spiritual teacher. He introduced his version of Kundalini yoga to the United States. He was the spiritual director of the 3HO foundation, with over 300 centers in 35 countries. He was accused of sexual abuse by several dozen of his female followers; an investigation called the Olive Branch Report found the allegations most likely true.
Rao Bahadur and Rai Bahadur, abbreviatedR.B., was a title of honour bestowed during British rule in India to individuals for outstanding service or acts of public welfare to the Empire. From 1911, the title was accompanied by a medal called a Title Badge. Translated, Rao means "King", and Bahadur means "Brave". Bestowed mainly on Hindus, the equivalent title for Muslim and Parsi subjects was Khan Bahadur. For Sikhs it was Sardar Bahadur.
Baba Gurdit Singh was the central figure in the Komagata Maru incident of 1914, one of several incidents in the history of early 20th century involving exclusion laws in both Canada and the United States designed to keep out immigrants of only Asian origin.
Yograj Singh is an Indian actor and former cricketer who played one Test and six One Day Internationals for India as a right-arm fast-medium bowler. His debut Test was at Wellington against New Zealand, which India lost by 62 runs. After his career was ended by injury, he entered Punjabi cinema and Hindi cinema. His son Yuvraj Singh was a member of the Indian cricket team from 2000 to 2019. Yograj hails from the village of Kanech, right next to Doraha, in Ludhiana District of Punjab.
Colonel Maharajah Sir Jagatjit Singh Sahib Bahadur was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Kapurthala during the British Raj in India, from 1877 until his death, in 1949. He ascended to the throne of Kapurthala state on 16 October 1877 and assumed full ruling powers on 24 November 1890 as well indulging in traveling the world and being a Francophile.
Aditya Vikram Birla was an Indian industrialist. Born into one of the largest business families of India, he oversaw the diversification of his group into textiles, petrochemicals and telecommunications. He was one of the first Indian industrialists to expand abroad, setting up plants in Southeast Asia, the Philippines and Egypt. His net worth was estimated at £250 million by 1995. His death at the age of 51 left his young son Kumar Mangalam Birla in charge of his group of companies.
The Battle of Nadaun, alternatively known as the Hussaini Yudh, was fought at Nadaun, between Raja Bhim Chand of Bilaspur (Kahlur) and the Mughals under Alif Khan. Bhim Chand was supported by Guru Gobind Singh and the Mughals were supported by other hill chieftains, notably Kirpal Chand from Kangra and Dayal Chand from Bijharwal. Bhim Chand and some hill chieftains, after conclusion of Battle of Bhangani had refused to pay tribute to the Mughal emperor which led to the battle at Nadaun. The battle resulted in the victory of Bilaspur State and Sikh alliance.
Brigadier Maharajah Sir Ranbir Singh G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E. was the Maharaja of Jind. He ruled Jind from 1887 to 1948- one of the longest terms as the ruler.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal is an Indian politician and a former Union Cabinet Minister of Food Processing Industries in the Government of India and Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from Bathinda. She is a member of Shiromani Akali Dal Party. Her husband Sukhbir Singh Badal is former deputy chief minister of Punjab and the president of Shiromani Akali Dal. She resigned from the cabinet on 17 September 2020 to protest against few farmer related ordinances and legislation.
India hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games which were held in Delhi from 3 to 14 October 2010. India won 101 medals in total, including 38 Gold medals, enabling it to finish the Games at second position behind Australia. For the first time in the history of the Games India won over 100 medals in total. For the first time in the history of the Games, India won a medal in Gymnastics, where Ashish Kumar won a Silver and a Bronze. And it was after a gap of 52 years that India won a Gold in Athletics when Krishna Poonia won Gold in Women's discus throw and when Geeta Phogat won India's first ever gold medal in women's wrestling.
Rear Admiral Kirpal Singh, AVSM was a flag officer in the Indian Navy and founder of Dolphin Offshore Enterprises, one of India's first offshore technology firms. As a philanthropist, he formed the Dolphin Foundation, dedicated to providing grants and fellowships in the offshore and marine industry.
Singh Is Bliing is a 2015 Indian Hindi-language action comedy film directed by Prabhu Deva and produced by Ashvini Yardi under Grazing Goat Pictures, which provided the story and screenplay. The film stars Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Lara Dutta and Kay Kay Menon. It is a quasi-sequel to the 2008 film Singh Is Kinng.
Kaur Singh was an Indian heavyweight champion boxer from Punjab. Singh won three gold medals for senior national boxing championship, Asian Boxing Championship and Asian Games.
Neha Kirpal is an Indian social entrepreneur based in India. She is known for her work at the intersection of arts and mental health. She founded the India Art Fair in 2008, which she later sold to MCH Group. She is the co-founder of Amaha, a mental health organization.
Abhishek Bajaj is an Indian actor known for starring in the film Student of the Year 2 in the year 2019 and playing the role of Sandy in the film Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui.
Kirpal Singh batth in Punjab, India is an Indian discus thrower.