Jagraj Singh
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3 June 1979
Jagraj Singh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Jagraj Singh Hundal 3 June 1979 London, United Kingdom |
| Died | 20 July 2017 (aged 38) |
| Other names | Bhai Jagraj Singh |
| Alma mater | University of Oxford |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2012 - 2017 |
| Organization | Basics of Sikhi |
| Known for | Founder of Basics of Sikhi |
| Family | Sunny Hundal (brother) |
Jagraj Singh Hundal (3 June 1979 – 20 July 2017), known as Bhai Jagraj Singh, was a British Army officer and Sikh preacher.[1][2] He was the founder of Sikh organisations, Everything's 13, and the Sikh Press Association and YouTube channel Basics of Sikhi.[3][4]
Jagraj is considered as one of the most influential British Sikhs of the 21st century.[5][6] He has been described as a pioneer of digital Sikh preaching.[7]
Jagraj was born on 3 June 1979, and grew up and attended secondary school in Hounslow, London. He studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford.[8]
His elder brother is journalist Sunny Hundal.[citation needed]
Career
After graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Singh was commissioned into the Royal Logistic Corps before finding a job in the finance and recruitment sector.
In 2012, he founded Everything's 13,[9] a project to spread awareness of the Sikh faith both digitally and through the English language.[10] His most notable work was YouTube channel, Basics of Sikhi.[11][12] The channel he founded educated the general public about the basic tenets of the Sikh religion and raised awareness about its existence using parchaar (preaching).[13] In 2014, Singh founded the Sikh Press Association (SikhPA).[14][15]
In February 2017, Singh was awarded a Point of Light Award by UK Prime Minister Theresa May.[16] In the award letter, May wrote: "Your important work is doing much to positively engage both young Sikhs and the wider community with your faith. You are inspiring those of all faiths and none to make a difference with their lives".[17]
Family life and death
In December 2016, he was diagnosed with stage 4 inoperable liver cancer[18][19] and died on 20 July 2017.[20][21]
He was survived by his Russian wife Sukhmani Kaur, a convert to Sikhism and follower of Yogi Bhajan, and their three children.[22]
Awards
- Point of Light Award in 2017