Japneet’s last handshake with grandfather Fauja Singh

Ramandeep and Japneet, grand-daughters of Fauja Singh, stood side by side in shared grief as they bid farewell to their beloved Baba ji for the last time.

Ramandeep, who spent initial 22 years of her life before moving to Canada, wept aloud, unable to hold back her emotions. Japneet, who was considered the most favourite of Fauja Singh was equally devastated. Broken, she just wanted one thing. “I just want to shake hands with Baba ji, like I always did," she said.

For Japneet, that daily handshake with her grandfather had become a ritual. The day he passed away, she had shaken his hand and gone off to study, never knowing it would be the last time.

Fauja Singh would often say, “Giano aa gayi," referring to Japneet by the name of his late wife Gian Kaur. He saw his wife’s reflection in his grand-daughter. At weddings, Japneet would always make sure Fauja Singh tasted every dish, lovingly insisting he enjoy each moment with her.

Ramandeep, his other grand-daughter, was born in Beas village. After a few months, her mother—Fauja Singh’s elder daughter—passed away. From then on, Ramandeep lived with him for her initial 22 years until she married and moved to Canada.

Through tears, she said, “Since I had already lost my mother and remained with him for 22 years, he was my mother and father. Now it feels like I’m alone."

She recalled their last meeting, just two months ago—a visit that has now become a treasured memory.

She told The Tribune that Fauja Singh was a different man after the passing of his elder son Kulbir Singh. “He hardly got angry in his life, but after the death of his son, he would ask us not to laugh. He was shattered," Ramandeep said.

Fauja Singh’s great grand-daughter Noor shared a special memory too:

“Tension vich vi khush rehna, kuch mazak labb lende si." (“Even in tension, he could find something to laugh about.”)

As Ramandeep was holding Japneet tightly at the cremation ground and Fauja Singh was about to be cremated with state honours, Japneet looked at his hands one last time and whispered through tears: “Hun Baba ji kade nai milne.” (“Now, I’ll never meet Baba ji again.”)

Jalandhar