HARBAJAN SINGH VEDI
HARBAJAN SINGH VEDI
Never to accept a NO for answer but YES is always welcome
By: William fernandes
A Homage..
The noble soul breathed his last on 24th August 2013 at 10.40 am at the Amiri Hospital after fighting a long lost battle with cancer diagnosed in January 2012. The men who served the Indian community during their times of distress especially during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, will be laid to rest in his home town in India. An architect by profession and a consultant to many Kuwaiti high profile projects, one who was very close and loyal to the ruling Al- Sabah family
A strong believer in self-principles , dedication, hard work and loyalty to one’s profession, he would never give up and strive hard to fulfill his ambition to make it high up in the society. He never gave up to pressure and fought tirelessly for the less fortunate and destitute Indians here in Kuwait. The man, who studied under the street light of Delhi after the partition of India in 1947, went on to become one of the most respected person in Kuwait and in India. He moved among the rich and the political class and in Kuwait was well known to the ruling Al Sabah Family as Mr. Vedi. He designed and executed some of the villas for the royal family and also for Sheikhs and prominent Kuwaiti’s.
Mr. Vedi was instrumental in according cordial bon voyage to H.H. the Amir of Kuwait in the year 2006 on his historic visit to India. Vedi invited and gathered school children, community leaders and a large crowd holding flowers, placards and flags of both the friendly countries India and Kuwait at the Airport. The gesture shown by Vedi fetched him appreciation from the Ruling Family. Vedi personally flew to India along with members of Indian Citizens committee to welcome the Amir of Kuwait to India. Using his influence in the political circle, he managed to get inside and was standing among the large crowd to greet the Amir of Kuwait in Delhi.
During the fatal invasion of Kuwait by the Iraqi forces in 1990, Vedi formed the Indian citizens committee to assist the Indians stranded in Kuwait and provided assistance and help to all people. He never discriminated between high and low 
class or rich and poor, but treated everyone equally, which is the reason why he was respected and admired by the Indian community.
He was given independent charge to issue passport and travel documents by I.K.Gujral. He was given the power to sign or reject any document and was pivotal in excavation of 170,000 Indians from Kuwait.
A recipient of many prestigious awards, the recent being from Citizens Integration Peace Society for “ Pride of Asia: award which was conferred in the presence of Dr. Bhishma Narain Singh, an illustrious personality. Vedi was impressed by the topic of the seminar Indo Gulf Friendship and Cooperation which was timely focused at a greater length. For those who live in Gulf and have made their country of stay, a home away from their home such interactions are necessary as it enables us to identify newer area of cooperation and friendship.
Vedi spend more than 48 years in Kuwait and has seen the growth and development very closely. Year after year his stay in Kuwait has been memorable. He served Kuwait with dignity and pride and earned respect and love. He extended a hand of friendship and they offered comfort and love. At no stretch of life did he ever feel that Kuwait was not his home and he preferred to give his soul in Kuwait which gave him so much.
Vedi had employed hundreds of Indian in his company and recruited skilled labour from India for his projects. Some who are still here in Kuwait have spent more years with |Vedi, then their own families. Khyali Ram Sant Ram has spent more than 33 years with Mr. Vedi and is totally dismayed.
Words fall short in expressing my grief and sorrow over the passing away of Vedi, he says. Vedi is one (sahib) Boss who would shout but get the work done. He never kept grudge or anger of anyone and treated all like his own. Khyali recollects an incident few days back when Vedi called him up to his room and said, “ Are you not my elder Son” and they both hugged each other and wept for more than an hour.
Jaspal who spend 22 years also shared similar experience but said that Vedi always had his ways of getting things done. A man of perfection and accuracy, he never compromised on quality, he always believed in giving the best to his clients that why his cliental was expanding.
I have uncounted experiences during my sting with The Times under Mr. Vedi as the Managing Editor and CEO. He thought me never to accept a NO for answer but YES is always welcome. He once said everything is possible nothing is impossible unless your try hard.
As we pay our homage to H.S.Vedi, I pray to almighty to Bless His Soul and my sympathies to his family to bear the loss. His journey on the earth has ended in pain, I pray for his perpetual Journey in peace…
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