Our respected Prof. Jeetpal Singh Sandhu (Akal Degree College, Mastuana) from village Dangarh (Barnala) passed away in Calgary (Canada) due to heart attack on Thursday morning, July 4, 2024. His last rites will be held in Calgary on Saturday, July 13.

Like every year, after spending 5-6 months of winter in his village, Dangarh, he travelled in April from Punjab to Ottawa, Canada to visit his eldest son, Navjeet Singh Sandhu. On July 2, he left Ottawa to meet his youngest son, Ripenjit Singh Sandhu, who resides in Calgary. Prof. Jeetpal was born on December 15, 1944 at his native village Rattakhera (near Ferozepur), in a noble family, to Mr. Sant Singh Sandhu and Sardarni Roopinder Kaur.

His maternal family belongs to a well-known Bakshi’s family of Royal Nabha State. Since his mother was an only child and lost her father at a young age, he went to live at his maternal house to support his maternal grandmother and received his primary education from Dangarh (Barnala). His father passed away in his prime and Prof. Jeetpal took responsibility of the household, supporting his mother, grandmother, and his brother in the process.

He raised three children and ensured they received a good education from PPS Nabha and YPS Patiala. His daughter, Arashdeep Kaur Sidhu, still remembers the time when she moved home from her boarding school (YPS Patiala) and joined a local college in Barnala, he used to prepare breakfast for her in mornings before she left for her college. Since his children lost their mother at young ages, Prof. Jeetpal took on the role of both mother and father for them and helped them navigate through tough situations.

He was independent and would help around the house. His little gestures meant a lot to the family as he loved being helpful in any way that he could. He also loved to socialize and travel. His grandaughter, Mehar Sandhu, remembers her grandpa always taking her and her friends out on adventures while growing up. Her friends loved spending time with him, as he always treated every child as if they were his own.

Prof. Jeetpal graduated with an M.Sc. Math from University of Roorkee (Uttar Pradesh) in 1970, after which he was appointed Professor of Mathematics at Akal Degree College, Mastuana (Sangrur), from where he retired in 2002 after 32 years of service and went to Canada to live with his children. He has contributed a lot in every college function, especially the annual athletic meet and the youth festival. He also headed the National Cadet Corps wing of Akal Degree College and was a member of the Senate of Punjabi University.

While staying at Barnala, Prof. Jeetpal has been associated with many social service organizations, including establishing the “Barnala Club” of Barnala city. He was one of the club’s pioneers and was its president for many years. Prof. Jeetpal was always well connected with the village of Dangarh, and he was a pillar of society and helped residents of the village in times of sorrow and happiness. He contributed financially in every social welfare work of the village, such as building a new crematorium and establishing the Shaheed Brigadier Shergill Park.

He had a wide circle of friends in Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Dhanaula, Dangarh, and Ottawa. Due to his heavy involvement in numerous communities, many of the community members are expressing deep regret for his departure from this world.

He is survived by one younger brother, two sons, one daughter, five grandchildren. We pray his soul rests in peace.