THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Bedford- SEVA Trust UK, a Bedford based international charity working in Bedfordshire and India has successfully repatriated the body of a young Indian man to his native village in Punjab following his sudden and untimely death, providing vital support to his bereaved family during one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
Tejinder Singh Janjua (32), who had been living in Luton, Bedfordshire, passed away unexpectedly 3 weeks ago. Originally from a rural village of Khanian in the Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab (India), Tejinder had moved to the UK three years ago to join his wife who has been serving as an ICU nurse with the NHS in London for several years.
Tejinder was working in the construction sector on HS2 Carney Construction Project through Sahi Services Ltd, Luton. Both Tejinder and his wife were working very hard with bright dreams and aspirations of building a secure future for themselves and supporting their families back home Tragically, their journey was cut short by a sudden illness that took away Tejinder and their hopes were devastated by this tragic and unforeseen loss.
Recognising the immense challenges faced by the family, SEVA Trust UK, took a full responsibility for arranging the repatriation of Tejinder’s body to Punjab, ensuring that his parents were able to see their child one final time and able to perform their traditional last rites.
Speaking on behalf of SEVA Trust, Charan Sekhon MBE and Shaminder Garcha explained that neither Tejinder nor his wife had any immediate family members or close relatives living in the UK. In the absence of family support, the volunteers of SEVE Trust UK came together as one extended family, coordinating every aspect of the repatriation process with compassion, dignity and dedication.
The Trust not only covered the entire cost of transporting the deceased back to India but has also continued to provide emotional and practical support to his wife during this exceptionally difficult time.
SEVA Trust UK also expressed its heartfelt gratitude to Tejinder’s work colleagues and to the many supporters and volunteers of SEVA Trust whose generous financial contributions and assistance helped make the repatriation possible.
Following many conversations with Tejinder’s wife, family members and colleagues, the Trust described him as a humble, compassionate and selfless individual who was deeply rooted in Sikh faith values and closely connected to the Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship). He was known for his love of nature, flowers, plants and animals, and for his gentle and caring personality. Those who knew him also confirmed that he lived a healthy lifestyle with healthy diet and completely abstained from alcohol and other intoxicating substances.
After developing sudden health problems, Tejinder was admitted to the Emergency Department of a London hospital. Despite medical care, he sadly passed away the following day.
SEVA Trust UK extended its sincere appreciation to the High Commission of India in London, Cllr Geetha Morla from Milton Keynes, Varinder Khaira and Southall Funeral Service for their invaluable cooperation in ensuring the dignified and timely return of Tejinder’s body to his native village in Punjab.
As a lasting tribute to Tejinder Singh Janjua’s life and his deep affection for nature, SEVA Trust UK is also considering plans of creating a peace corner or a small community garden in Bedfordshire, where his memory can continue to inspire kindness, compassion and service to others.
SEVA Trust’s India team members working in Punjab also met with Tejinder’s parents and paid their respect at his funeral that was held at his native village on the 31st July.
Anyone would like to find out more or support any of SEVA Trust’s projects in England or India, please visit:
www.sevatrustuk.org or www.sevadhaam.org
