The Guiding Light- T.S. Mann

The Guiding Light: T.S. Mann, on his Ninth 'Barsi'

SIRSA NEWS 19 August 2012 

On The Ninth Death Anniversary of Sr. TS Mann, SIRSA NEWS brings you brief life sketch of Sr. Mann, the guiding light and inspiration that drives this Web Site.

Late Sardar Tirlok Singh Mann (HPS- I Retd. Supdt. Jail)

Sardar Tirlok Singh Mann was born at Village Mannawala Distt. Shekhupura. (Now in Punjab of Pakistan) on 20th July 1920 in the famous Mannawala Family (A chapter is devoted toMannawala Family, in the book The Chiefs Of Punjab, by a British Author. A family tree from 1700AD upto the name of Sr T.S. Mann also exists in this book as well as the Gazette of Punjab)He was the eldest son of S. Sahib Singh Mann (Ex MLC of Punjab Assembly 1952) His education started from Guru Nanak Khalsa High School Nanakana Sahib. He did his Graduation in 1942 from Khalsa College Amritsar. Six feet tall and well built; he was a good athlete & sportsman. He won the Punjab University’s ‘One Mile’ race twice. At that time the Punjab University was the biggest university in the North India and was located at Lahore. Even then he represented the Punjab University’s Volleyball team.

Above: S. Sahib Singh Mann MLC in a Group Photo of 1952 Members of The Punjab Legislative Council SIMLA

TS Mann with the famous Khalsa College Amritsar In The Back Ground

British Professors taught English in Khalsa College at that time. He had good command over English, Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi and even some working knowledge of French. He visited Sri Harmandir Sahib every morning during all 4years of his hostel life at Khalsa College Amritsar He held his teachers and professors in high esteem. Prof Sahib Singh, who is known for the most authenticated TIKA of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was one of his favorite professors.

In 1943, he joined the Jail department by appointment through Punjab Services Commission. His first posting was probably at Multan Jail as Asstt. Supdt. Jail. At time of partition in 1947, the family was allotted land at Sirsa; he was made a camp commandant for some time to take care of partition refugees at SIRSA. He resumed his jail department post in post partition India. During his service in the Jail Dept he did not distance himself from the prisoners, rather he understood their psychology and interacted with them to resolve their problems as and when these surfaced. He was very particular about the ration and good hygienic food of the Jail prisoners, and daily ensured that the right quantity and rightly cooked food was served on time. He also took care of the welfare possibilities of all the prisoners. He was very popular with the inmates and many of them used to thank him on and after completion of their jail terms. Besides many jails of Punjab & Haryana he was also posted at Tihar Jail Delhi in early fifties.

TV Shots from Aaj Tak telecast of 2003

All pictures can be clicked to enlarge or right click to open link in new window

In 1975 to 1977 during the national emergency, he was Superintendent of Rohtak Jail. Many senior political leaders were detained in Rohtak jail under his tenure. {To name a few: Sh Bhairon Singh Shekhwat Ex. Vice president of India, Sh LK Advani Ex. Deputy Prime Minister of India, Sh Chander Shekhar Ex PM of India, Ch. Devi Lal Ex DPM India (and Ex CM Haryana), Sh. Sikander Bakht Ex Governor of KERALA, Dr Bhai Mahavir Governor of MP. Sh. Pillo Modi MP, Sh Ashok Mehta MP, Sh Biju Patnaik Ex CM Orissa, Major Jaipal, Bakshi Jagdev and many more…………} All of these were satisfied with the humane behavior of Sr. TS Mann. Many of them called upon him personally at his official residence soon after attaining political posts and ministries in The Janta Party in 1977. Even today many of them remember him fondly. He was being offered a seat for becoming a MP in the elections of 1977, but he refused as he was a non Political Man and never took any advantage of his such closeness to these leaders. May it be recalled that in 1977 elections it was landslide victory for the JANTA PARTY, and anyone who was nominated by Janta Party was sure to win.Most recently, after a gap of 28 years, Sh. LK Advani DPM of India recalled him at Rohtak jail on 26 June 2003. An exclusive video film on LK Advani and TS Mann was produced by AajTak news channel in Rohtak Jail; it was telecast at prime time on 26 June 2003 under ‘VISHESH’ Sh Advani specifically mentioned in this telecast the good treatment he got from Mr. Mann during detention under MISA. [see Pictures above] After 35 years of meritorious service he retired in 1979 as Supdt. Distt. Jail Rohtak, at that time this was the second senior most post in the Jail Deptt. The Govt. gave him four increments for his honest & dedicated services. He had ample regards for his officer: I.G. Prisons, Late Sh. SK Puri. That’s why he refused a promotion to the rank of The IG (the Highest Post of Jail Deptt. In those days) during the last few months of his service, as this would have put the then IG Mr. Puri in trouble, and would have jinxed the last phase of service (career) of Sh. Puri, due to certain political reasons.

He took up farming at his farm at village Kirpal Patti, in Ellenabad Sub Division of Distt. SIRSA after retirement. He did co-operative farming by indulging 20 families with him. He made sure that basic needs of these families (Housing, food and clothing) were fulfilled. He arranged money for them also. He discouraged these families to consume alcohol or any kind of intoxicants. He imparted moral and social teachings to all the people associated with him. He himself was a teetotaler and vegetarian through out his life.Along with farming he took up many social projects. From 1994, he gave a new momentum to the already Established ‘LOK PANCHAYAT’ (A regd. body) in the Rania-Ellenabad Jeevan Nagar area of SIRSA. Lokpanchayat is a non-religious, non-political, non-factional, social body. [NGO]

In 2001 he had joined the move initiated from the Districts of Karnal & Kurukshetra, for the formation of separate SGPC for Haryana (now know as HSGPC: Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Adhoc). He motivated and apprised people of Sirsa district about the necessity of separate SGPC for Haryana. He was stern follower of the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib. He always cherished his parents.

In 1986, the untimely demise of his elder son: Sh. Gurinder Mann, perturbed him for a while but he took this great loss as will of The Almighty and consoled rest of the family. It is worth mentioning here that Sh. Gurinder Mann was highly educated [M.A. LL.B. BJ, member HUJ] He was a highly talented budding photo-journalist and art photographer whose pictures were published in international journals.

Rajan Gurinder Mann

Gurinder Mann was a keen musician and a talented painter as well. He was elder brother of Author of this website.

Sardar T.S. Mann’s life was highly disciplined and he was highly health conscious. Even at the age of 83 years, he took long walks daily and visited his fields daily. He never needed much medical care through out his life, as he believed that nature takes care of petty ailments. He was a die-hard optimist.Sardar Tirlok Singh Mann passed away on the 19th day of August 2003, peacefully.

He is remembered for his principled life, honesty, integrity, and philanthropic and outspoken nature.

The Editor of SirsaNews is son of Sr. TS Mann.