Tag Archives: RPBD

Inder Singh: A Loss to Our Community

Inder Singh a local, national and global leader of the Indian community has passed. He leaves behind his wife, a son, a daughter, two granddaughters, numerous friends and relatives, and a community he deeply loved. He showed a profound dedication and caring for his community, and has left a lasting legacy.

Mr. Singh started several Indian community organizations in the last 45 years.  He presided over an umbrella group (FIA of southern California), became President and CEO of a national organization (NFIA), President (2004-9) and chairman (2009-16) of a global Diaspora organization – Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) and was an Executive Trustee of the GOPIO Foundation. In 2015, he chaired the Regional Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (RPBD) organization in Los Angeles.

Mr. Singh has chaired reception committees hosting serving presidents of two countries: President of India, Giani Zail Singh (in 1984); and the President of the United States, George H.W. Bush (in 1989 and 1991). He also facilitated the reception of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by the Mayor of Los Angeles. He has organized numerous events involving dignitaries including California governors, US congressmen & senators, Indian ambassadors & Consuls General, ministers from India, and local elected officials. The Counsel General of India in San Francisco, Mr. Sanjay Panda, visited Mr. Singh’s wife, Mrs. Gurdip Inder (Deepi) Singh, to share his condolences from the community. Mr. Singh will be missed.

Involvement with the Indian community at the global level

Mr. Inder Singh was an Executive Trustee of the GOPIO Foundation. Through GOPIO, an international body serving the interests of the globally spread Indian Diaspora, he was chairman from 2009-16, and president and CEO from 2004 to 2009.  As president of GOPIO, Mr. Singh expanded the reach of the organization by over 10-fold. Twelve international conferences were organized to increase networking of overseas Indians.

Campaign against Supply of AWACS

Mr. Singh successfully championed a nation-wide campaign against the supply of highly sophisticated military hardware, including AWACS. He convinced many US lawmakers about the potential dangers.

Recognizing and Rewarding Talent

Mr. Singh, who encouraged higher education as one of his many passions, created the  Indian American Heritage Foundation (IAHF) 34 years ago. As chairman and president, he instituted an awards function in 1987 to recognize and reward talented Indian American high school graduates. Starting with eight scholarships, the number and amount of scholarships has been increased steadily. For the last few years, twenty-four scholarships are given out annually.

Mr Singh will be deeply missed; his legacy lives on in our hearts and minds.