May 13, 1935 – Chhajawal, India
April 05, 2025 – Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Sardar Kesar Singh Neer Ghataura

1935 – 2025

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Sardar Kesar Singh Neer in the early hours of April 5th, at the age of 90.

Born in the village of Chhajjawal, Jagraon Punjab, to S. Tehal Singh and Smt. Dhan Kaur, he was the second of four sons—Surjit Singh, Iqbal Singh, and Hardyal Singh.

From a young age, Kesar Singh Neer found his voice through poetry, beginning to write while still in elementary school. He pursued a career in teaching—a calling he held close to his heart. While teaching, he privately earned a Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Punjabi. His commitment to justice was unwavering. During the unemployed teachers’ movement in Punjab, he was even imprisoned for several months in solidarity with unemployed teachers.

As a passionate advocate for Punjabi literature and culture, he was one of the founding members of Sahitya Sabha Jagraon, which organized literary events and competitions to inspire students. He was also an active contributor to the Punjabi Writers’ Association. Throughout his life, he authored more than a dozen collections of poems, ghazals, and children’s books becoming a beloved figure and irreplaceable voice in Punjabi literary circles. His literary contributions include works such as Kaskan (1960), Gam Nahi (1981), Aar Diyan Te Paar Diyan (2010), among others.

After immigrating to Canada in 1996 he continued his literary mission, playing a pivotal role in multiple Punjabi literary associations. This included being a founding member and president of the Arpan Likhari Sabha, a Calgary-based organization dedicated to the promotion of Punjabi literature.

In recognition of his lifelong contributions, he was honored with the prestigious Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar (Foreign) Award by the Government of Punjab. In 2024, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arpan Likhari Sabha, a tribute to his enduring dedication to literature, his love for language, and his service to the community.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Kuldip Kaur Ghataura, with whom he shared 61 years of companionship and every season of life. His legacy lives on through his beloved six children and their spouses:

Daughters: Kiranjot Kaur (Daljit Singh Hoonjan), Jasjeet Kaur (Bhupinder Singh Bhamra), Roopdeep Kaur (Rupinder Kumar Sharma), and Hirdejit Kaur (Jassa Singh Sambhi)

Sons: Adarshpal Singh Ghataura (Gurjeet Kaur) and Arshdeep Singh Ghataura (Sukhjinder Kaur)
And 15 grandchildren.

Sardar Kesar Singh Neer spent his life enriching the world with his words, wisdom, and unwavering spirit. Yet, beyond his literary accomplishments, he will be most deeply remembered by those who had the privilege of knowing him as a devoted husband, a steadfast father, and a loving grandfather.

Simply put, he was an extraordinary man, with an extraordinary story—one that has now come to its final chapter.
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