Sir Mota Singh QC, the United Kingdom’s first Sikh and ethnic minority judge passed away today at the ripe age of 86. He was found unconscious on Friday and was taken to hospital but did not recover. Paying tribute to him, his wife, Swaran Kaur, told Metro.co.uk: ‘He was a wonderful person who achieved so much in his life. He was so hard working.’

Beginning And Struggle

He was born in 1930 in Nairobi, Kenya, Mota Singh was only sixteen years of age when he lost his father, Sardar Dalip Singh, on 30 December 1946. He was forced to leave school in order to look after his family, which included his widowed mother, who was only 32 at the time, and his five younger siblings including a sister Mota Singh became the head of the family. He had no option but to leave school.

 Support From School Teacher

 Singh’s school teachers, knowing that he was gifted, convinced his family and relatives that he should resume studies and complete his matriculation. They undertook to finance his school education. Mota Singh matriculated. After a short stint as a clerk at the East African Railways and Harbours, he secured a clerical position in a European firm of lawyers in Nairobi

Marriage

To lift the gloom after the father’s death, and bring about a modicum of happiness in the family, the family and relatives decided that Mota Singh should get married.

He wasmarried to Swaran Kaur in 1950. A year later the family rejoiced in the birth of his daughter. Whilst fending for his whole family during day, Mota Singh pursued his Bar studies at night. In 1953, Mota Singh set sail for England, accompanied by his wife and daughter, to complete the second part of the Bar studies.

Joining the English Bar

He joined the English bar in 1967 and was appointed to the bench in 1982. In 2010, Sir Mota Singh received a knighthood from the Queen, for his services to the Judiciary and for charitable works.

 Pure Sikh And A Great Person

After all those years of success and work with English man Singh was a pure Sikh by heart.  HH Sir Mota Singh, as he is now known, is a devout and puran Sikh. He has parkash of the Guru Granth Sahib at home. When he was on the Bench, he would get up at 2 am and after ishnan, would recite Japji Sahib. He was a keen sportsman, having represented Kenya as its opening batsman in international cricket. He was also an excellent tennis player. As well, he has been invited to address conferences and seminars, as key note speaker, in the UK, America and India

After the news of his death came the internet is pouring with tribute and messaged for Mota Singh.  May his soul rest in peace.

Reference: asianpacificpost.com