Sant Singh Maskeen

Early life

Maskeeen was born in 1934 at Lakki Marwat (now in Pakistan) to father Kartar Singh and mother Ram Kaur. He had one sister, Sujan Kaur. He pursued his schooling from Khalsa School (now in Pakistan) and went to Government High School but the turmoil of Partition in 1947, interrupted his education from the Govt. High School. His family migrated to India and settled in Alwar (Rajasthan) but he could not continue with his studies. For some time he worked as a railway employee. In 1958 he was married to Sunder Kaur and made Alwar his permanent home. He had three sons and two daughters.

Works

He authored more than a dozen books. Some of his famous books includes Guru Chintan, Ras Dhara, Amrit Manthan, Ratnagar and Shabad Guru.

Establishments

He established a meditation centre at his home town of Alwar where a samagam (function) is held every year on the eve of Hola Mahalla which is attended by many scholars, preachers, Dhadi Jathas, Kavishars and learned people of Sikh community.

He started the Vishav Sikh Preacher Organization. This works under Akal Takhat. Two schools - Guru Nanak Public School and Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School - were also controlled by him. In these schools uniforms and books are provided free to the poor students.

Honours

He was given the title of Panth Ratan for his services to mankind through the message of Gurbani. He was also given Bhai Gurdas Gold posthumous award, worth rupees one lack and, posthumously, the Gurmat Vidya Martand award by Shromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee.

Death

Maskeen died on 18 February 2005 due to a massive heart attack while attending a marriage in Etawah in Uttar Pradesh, India.