S. Gurcharan Singh Kler, the owner of Shingar Cinema and a prominent industrialist in Ludhiana, passed away on Tuesday night at the age of 89 following a prolonged illness. Kler was widely recognized for his significant contributions to the industrial and transport sectors, as well as his extensive humanitarian and spiritual service.
A Legacy in Industry and Community Service
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Kler was a distinguished figure in Ludhiana’s business community, known for his visionary entrepreneurship. As the proprietor of Shingar Cinemas, New Akal Transport, and Bharat Transport, his ventures played a notable role in regional development and earned him considerable respect across Punjab. His influence extended beyond commercial interests, notably through his leadership as General Secretary of the Radha Soami Sect, where his selfless devotion impacted numerous lives through spiritual and charitable initiatives.
Tributes Pour In Following Demise
The passing of S. Gurcharan Singh Kler has elicited widespread grief and tributes from various community leaders and social activists. Dr. Paramjeet Singh Ranu, National President of the Sehajdhari Sikh Party, expressed heartfelt condolences to the Kler family, stating that the public of Raikot stands with them in their time of sorrow. Dr. Ranu further commented on Kler’s multifaceted persona, highlighting him as an “irreparable loss” to the community. He lauded Kler not only as a “towering industrial icon” but also as a “pillar of noble, social and spiritual values,” emphasizing that his dedication to society and religious service would be long remembered.
Pappo Abnash, a veteran social activist and co-owner of Lakshmi Cinema, another historic cinema in Ludhiana, remembered Kler as a great visionary. She recalled the close-knit relationships among the owners of the city’s older cinemas, including Naulakha, Reikhy, Deepak, Lakshmi, Shingar, Preet, and Society, noting that Shingar Cinema was established in 1975. For nearly five decades, Shingar Cinema served as a key entertainment venue in the region, and its name lives on through the landmark “Shingar Cinema Road.”
Resilience Amidst Adversity
The history of Shingar Cinema is also marked by an incident of resilience. In 2007, the cinema was the site of a bomb blast that resulted in six fatalities and injured 37 individuals. Despite the tragedy, Kler demonstrated remarkable fortitude and leadership, ensuring that the cinema reopened its doors to the public the very next day, a testament to his unwavering spirit and commitment to continuity.
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