The sun was scorching! It was Sunday June 30, 2024. The place was not in New York but in Kingston, Jamaica. At a location in the inner city at Henderson Avenue, a group of Jamaicans of all ethnicities held a memorial service for the wife of a noted New York community and humanitarian leader Dr Tara Singh who was born in Guyana.
Dr Singh has been doing community and charitable work in Jamaica since 1998. This was also the year when he stepped aside as President of Guyana Watch Inc. that has been doing humanitarian work in Guyana right after the restoration of democracy in 1992. He also made trips to Trinidad on cultural activities. For the conduct of programs in Jamaica over the years, Dr. Singh’s group was accompanied by the New York based Natraj Group and the Guyana Youth Corp as well as spiritual leaders of New York such as the late Shri Prakash Gossai, Dr Satesh Prakash, Pt Seerattan Maharaj, Pt Ram Hardowar, and other esteemed leaders of the Guyanese American community in New York.
Dr. Singh’s wife passed away in April. When they learned of her passing, the Jamaicans expressed shock and sadness and sent condolences. Mrs. Bibi Singh hosted many of them at her home in Woodhaven. To relieve themselves of distress, they decided to conduct a memorial service in her honor in Jamaica. The service was held in Kingston at the Prema Mandir in Kingston. The service was officiated by Pt Ram Hardowar of Queens, New York. In attendance were Dr Singh’s son, his granddaughter and grandson.
Pt Ram said that it was a privilege for him to officiate at the memorial service. He went on to pay tribute to the work of Dr Singh and stated that he couldn’t have done it without the support of his wife. He revealed one of Dr Singh’s secrets: “When Tara was studying for his BSc and PhD degrees it was his wife who assisted him in writing notes. So, they both share those degrees.” Dr. Singh did his graduate studies in UK.
Well known Caribbean philanthropist Mr Ravi Rambarran spoke in glowing terms about Dr Singh’s work in Jamaica, Guyana, and elsewhere. He too emphasized that the support of his wife Bibi Z Singh was indispensable. Jamaicans Rani Badaloo and Ravi Badaloo talked about how their growth as students and responsible citizens have been influenced by Uncle Tara and the kindness of Bibi. They recalled the memorable times they had in New York at Dr Tara’s home in 2000 and the hospitality of Bibi.
Jamaican hosts Ms Barbara Persaud and Dr Hame Persaud also showered praises on Dr Tara’s wife, whom they said they knew personally for several years. Professor Asha Badaloo, Mr Owen Badaloo, Professor Girjnauth Boodraj, and Baby Arbind also offered their respective tribute to Dr Tara’s wife. Ms Baby Boodraj broke down in tears as she spoke about Bibi Singh.
In Jamaica, Dr Singh conducted a charitable project in his wife’s name that targeted the poor and vulnerable. The recipients begged him not to abandon them. He promised that he would always be at their side. He said his wife would also want that to happen.
Dr Singh and his family commented that they were touched by the warmth expressions of love and the outpouring of goodwill was overwhelming. He expressed deep sense of gratitude to the organizers, including Pt Ram Hardowar who flew don from New York to officiate at the service. Pt. Ram Hardowar made such a great impact of the attendees at the service to such an extent that they implored him to return soon. Dr. Singh received tremendous support from and his wife Baby Arbind. The Jamaicans also thanked them.
Dr Tara Singh says that his next project in honor of his wife would be in Guyana in late August, 2024 and this would strictly be charitable in nature. “I keep my wife alive through these community and charitable projects.”
Respectfully
Dr Vishnu Bisram