Patiala- Today, the last rites of Padma Shri Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi were performed with heartfelt tributes at Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Fawara Chowk, Patiala. The Sikh community and the literary world came together to bid a final farewell to this great scholar.
Dr. Jaggi passed away on 22 May 2025 at the age of 97. During his life, he wrote extraordinary works on Gurmat literature, the Bhakti movement and medieval Indian religious texts. His extensive work on the Dasam Granth and Guru Granth Sahib makes him one of the greatest cultural scholars of India.
Dr. Jaggi was born on 27 July 1927. He was a professor and head of the Department of Punjabi Literary Studies at Punjabi University, Patiala and retired in 1987. He was a master of Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Persian, Sanskrit and English languages, and had written many famous books, encyclopedias and translations. His works like Prabodhini Tika, Dasam Granth da Tika, Guru Granth Vishwakosh and Punjabi Sahit da Soort Mulak Itihas, the source of Punjabi literature, are still a source of inspiration for scholars and spiritual seekers.
He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2023. Apart from this, he received many awards and honorary degrees of D. Litt from the governments of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, including the Sahit Akademi Award (1989), Punjabi Sahit Shiromani Award (1996).
During the last rites, his son Shri Malvinder Singh Jaggi, IAS, and his wife Dr. Gursharan Kaur Jaggi, former Principal, Government College Patiala, paid emotional tributes to Dr. Jaggi. He said that Dr. Jaggi was not only a great scholar but also a lighthouse of the family and a soul dedicated to the service of religion and society.
Many prominent personalities attended the event. These included Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Cabinet Ministers Tarundeep Sondh and Balbir Singh, former Minister Jauramajra, MLA Ninder Bharar, MLA Ajitpal Singh Kohli (Patiala), MLA Gurlal Singh (Ghanour), MLA Gajjanmajra (Amargarh), former Minister Brahm Mahindra, former Union Minister Balwant Singh Ramuwalia, social worker Maninder Singh Manna, internationally renowned economist Dr. S. S. Johal, former Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University Dr. Arvind, former SGPC President Kirpal Singh Badungar, former Chief Secretary of Punjab V. K. Janjua, and Narinder Singh Kapoor.
The stage was maintained by Prof. Satish Verma who brought seriousness and dignity to the event. Senior leader Balwinder Singh Bhundar thanked all the guests present.
Senior officials, government office bearers, political leaders, prominent literary figures, scholars, and social groups participated in the final prayers and paid tribute to Dr. Jaggi. Floral tributes and heartfelt messages were received from organizations across the country.
Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi's selfless service, humility, and profound scholarship have left a literary treasure that will continue to enlighten generations to come.
With his death, the country has lost a true gem of its land — a man whose thoughts will always resonate in Indian literature and spirituality.