On September 1st, 2025, our community lost one of their committed citizens, Sardar ManMohan Singh Puri. ManMohan lived a humble life and worked throughout it to not only preserve, but promote Sikh heritage and philosophy by sharing his experiences to the community. He shared words of wisdom, promoting the Langar Seva to all humans and animals.
Sardar Manmohan Singh Puri was the personification of Chardikala (High Spirits) to all who knew him. His modesty and pleasing personality was reflective of his high spiritual beliefs. Six months before his mortal journey ended, he was admitted to the hospital four times. All were amazed to see the positive spirit ingrained in him. He was dedicated to not burdening anyone in the last few years of his life, choosing to not let arthritis stop him from attempting to walk and care for himself. He was always there to provide wise words when it came to personal dilemmas and life advice, all accumulated from eighty-nine years of life.
The son of late Sardar Bhjagat Singh Puri and Sardarni Sada Duggal Puri, Manmohan Singh Puri was born on the 6th of October, 1935 in Rawalpindi, formerly India, now a part of Pakistan. His grandfather was a well known physician and surgeon, Dr. Surjan Singh, who was awarded the title of Rai Bhadhar. As per Puri family records, one of his ancestors, Bhai Sukhan Jee, was a very devout disciple of Guru Ram Das Jee and was blessed with a Manji (preaching center) to share and spread the wisdom of Guru Sahibaans. Later Bhai Sukhan's descendants, Rucha Ram and Bhai Anar Singh Jee served Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib. Upon their request, Guru Jee blessed them with Guru Jee's and Mata Jee's Kharavaan (shoes), which are presently preserved in Delhi, India. It was Sardar Manmohan Singh Puri's love for Gurbani and Sikhi which kept the tradition alive of sharing the Gurbani's message. ManMohan also paid the highest respect to wearing of his turban, which was of utmost importance to him till the end of his life. He made it a point to respect all religions, stating how we're all children under one god.
Sardar Manmohan Singh Puri had a long professional career as an Officer Commander G.R.E.F. with the Borders Roads Organization in India, where he dedicated himself to many major projects for 30 years. Before being an officer commanding the border roads, he fought in the Indo-China and Indo-Pak War. ManMohan migrated to the U.S.A. in 1987 with his wife and three children. In the United States, he initially worked with the Custom Molders company for three years before he bought the Main Street Mini Mart across from the post office in Louisburg, N.C.. He owned the business from 1989 until selling the property to the Town of Louisburg at their request in 2022. His business was open to all members of the community practicing inclusiveness, known as a place of laughter and belonging. Affectionately, he called his house the Flower House, named after the many plants his wife, Kaushalindra would plant. He loved the community and thought Louisburg was a place where he could live a peaceful life.
He is survived by his wife Princess Kaushalindra Singh of Maihar and Patiala, India, his sisters (Parminder Kaur and Raminender Kaur), his brother-in-laws (Harinder Singh, Jitinder Rangar, and Madhukar Gupta), his sister-in-law (Mriganka Gupta), his three daughters (Ketki Puri, Gauri Singh, and Jyoti Singh), his son-in-laws (Sumeet Verma and Bhartennder Singh), his daughter-in-law (Jaspreet Rangar, Amrita Grewal, and Malvika Gupta) his two grand-children (Kuvam Puri, and Yadvi Kachhwaha), his nieces and nephews (Harvinder Singh Puri, Harjinder Singh Puri, Harpreet Singh Puri, Dhwanendra Singh Rangar, Dheerandra Singh Rangar, Shefali Bawa, Joginderpal Singh, Meenu Singh, Jyoti Sehgal, Bhavana Gupta, and Shiv Ashish Gupta), and his great nieces and nephews (Vishvaraj Singh Rangar, Gitanjali Kumari Rangar, Amrina Kumari Rangar, and Ranvir Singh Rangar).
He loved his grandchildren dearly. Kuvam Puri, who he depended on in his final years, sat with him for hours, listening to advice and stories of his life in India and Pakistan. He would shower him with blessings. As for his granddaughter, Yadvi, who he lovingly called gudiya (doll), he believed both their work ethics were similar, as he started working at an early age as she did. He admired her dedication to working so early in life.
ManMohan participated in a life documentary called Crossing Borders: An American Story. The documentary recalls his life of struggle, persistence, and eventual peace while crossing not only physical (the partition of India and Pakistan and his move to the United States), but social and emotional borders. The documentary went on to win many awards such as Best Documentary from Reels International and Samskara International. It also received three nominations and one honorable mention.
Singing and seeing others happy were his passions and drive for his life. He sang in many community gatherings, performing shayarees (a type of poetry) and bringing life to parties. He sang in a community event at NC State University for All India Radio. His children were introduced to music of Jagjit and Chitra Singh, along with Lata Mangeskar, and many more of his favorite artists. When returning on holidays from the border roads, he would play their music constantly. ManMohan was a theology and history lover as well, choosing to read up on the history of Sikhi in the pursuit of lifelong knowledge.
On July 10th, 2016, he was honored by the Gurudwara Sahib of NC for the Senior Citizens Honor for being a contributing member of the community. He was so committed to his faith, he woke up at 4 A.M. every day to do baani, his prayers. On weekends when he could not visit the Gurudwara, he did the japji without fail. Even after becoming wheelchair bound, he asked members of family to take him to the Gurudwara, showing his will to practice his faith. When visiting India, he took the Amrit Chakya (Sikh initiation) to show his dedication for the faith and accepting the Five Ks of Sikhism. Towards the end of his life, even when unable to walk, he made it a point to go to India and visit The Golden Temple and Nandad, two of the most important Sikh sites.
By the end of his life, he lived by this Mantra:
- "Jo Ohda Hukum Hai" (whatever God wills).
Many of us will miss his presence, but he will be remembered by his family as a loving and affectionate member of the family, held in high esteem for his contribution to his work, family, and community for decades to come.
Funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM, Friday in the chapel of Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory.
Arrangements are by Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, Louisburg, www.stricklandfuneralhome.net.
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