Famous People from Amritsar

Amritsar, the seat of the martial Sikh religion, has been the place of choosing for all the Sikh Gurus, many Hindu priests worshipped in the temples and score of Sufis preaching the all encompassing love to God. The city has been home to freedom fighters, thinkers, politicians and military strategists. Freedom Fighters. The city renowned with the sacrifice of thousands of freedom seekers at Jalianwalla Bagh has an unending list of freedom fighters. The famous freedom fighter Shaheed Bhagat Singh spent his formative years in Amritsar writing for Urdu and Punjabi newspapers. Baba Gurdit Singh who raised his voice against the official forced labor in the Colonial India, Baba Jawala Singh who was sentenced to 18 years of hard labor, Sohan Singh Josh, Sher Singh, Sohan Lal Bhakana, Sohan Lal Pathak were born in this city of temples and Gurudwaras. Artists and Writers. The city has a notable contribution to the Indian film music. Shamshad Begum, the renowned playback singer of the Black and White Hindi cinema was born here. Mahender Kapoor another Bollywood singer, better known for his patriotic songs, used to call himself a proud Amritsary. Many Muslim Punjabi writers of repute migrated to Pakistan during the partition in 1947. One such writer, A J Josh continued his work in Pakistan and was successful in promoting wider use of the Punjabi language in his adopted country. A famous painter from the city, Devender Singh, has done works on a number of subjects relating to the culture of Punjab. His works on Sikh Women has received some rave reviews. The NRIs. The enterprising people of the city have carved a niche for themselves in all walks of life. The NRIs or Non Resident Indians from Amritsar have improved the economy of the city. The direct flights from Birmingham, UK to Amritsar cater to these never-say-die workaholics of Amritsar. One such individual is Vikas Khanna who has taken the delicious and mouth watering recipes to New York. He has written a few books; The Cuisine of Gandhi and Spice Story of India are a few notable ones. Diversity. This city is the birth place of for diverse personalities. The famous writer, author and Buddhist Monk, Lama Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche was born in this holy city. He is a practicing monk of the Bon traditional teachings. Madan Lal an Indian Test Cricketer started his journey in the narrow streets of the city playing the famous ‘gully’ or street cricket. The city is home to cricket players and spiritual leaders. The who’s who of Amritsar does not end here. The city is the birth place of Field Marshall Sam Maneksha, who won the Indian war against Pakistan in 1971 and an illustrious police woman, Dr Kiran Bedi. She is a graduate of English literature from Government College, Amritsar. She was the first women police officer in the famed Indian Police Services. She has won numerous awards; Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1994, Fr Machismo Humanitarian Award in 1995, Serge Sotiroff Award (UNDCP) in 1999 and the Lion of the Year award. The city’s men folk are known for their fiery spirit and a lady begetting the Lion’s share of fame; it sure is a place of equal opportunities.