Obituary of Harbans Singh

                                                                                            Harbans Singh (1945-2023)

Harbans Singh, a respected and beloved member of his community, passed away in 2023 at the age of 78. Born in the picturesque hills of Ciri, a small village nestled between Sigatoka and Nadi in Fiji, Harbans was the third son in a hardworking farming family. As a first-generation Indo-Fijian, he embraced his life on the farm, with his time occupied by tasks such as plowing fields, feeding chickens, and milking cows. As a youth, during rainy seasons, getting to school required swimming across a shark-infested river with his uniform held above his head.

Harbans attended Ciri Primary School from 1951, learning to read and write Hindi. After primary school he attended a boarding school in Nadi. There, he completed the Senior Cambridge, the highest level of education available in Fiji at the time. A desire to continue his studies then took him to New Zealand, where he earned a degree in electrical engineering in 1963.

Returning to Fiji, Harbans embarked on a career that saw him rise to become the head of telecommunications, a role in which he oversaw electrical engineering at Nadi International Airport. He continued his studies with trips to London to attend courses on computer technology, before playing an important role in the installation of Fiji’s first computer systems. Through this project he became the first local Fijian to work directly with the New Zealand government.

Sports and hobbies played a significant role in his life. Harbans represented Nadi as a member of their soccer team and had a keen interest in badminton. His passions included fishing, motor cars, and motor racing. He was a member of the Nadi Boat Club, a volunteer group that conducted search and rescue operations at sea.

Harbans was a well-known figure in Fiji, easily identified by his distinctive electric blue Holden Monaro HQ. He loved hosting gatherings of friends and family, and entertaining them with his favorite foods, such as crab, goat, and cold beer.

His travels took him to many places, with cherished memories in New Zealand and India. One especially meaningful trip included a holy dip in the sacred water of The Golden Temple in Punjab with his father.

Before starting a family, Harbans ensured he was well-established. His life in Fiji was vibrant and fulfilling, marked by a successful career, a beachside home, and a reputation for treating everyone with equal respect and generosity. He was particularly known for giving back to his community in Ciri.

In 1977, Harbans married Asha Kiran Prasad, and they soon welcomed children into their lives. Seeking better opportunities for his family, he made the challenging decision to immigrate to the United States in 1986 settling in Los Angeles. There, he embarked on a new career, working as a shop manager and then as an auditor in the auto body repair industry. His work ethic never wavered, dedicating himself to providing for his family.

In his retirement, Harbans rekindled his love for gardening, cultivating a variety of plants and fruit trees. He was extremely patient and put his whole heart into everything he did, from cutting pineapples and shredding gobi to ironing his shirts. He also cherished his role as a grandfather, welcoming his first grandchild seven years ago and spending his later years as a loving and devoted grandparent.

Harbans is survived by his wife Asha, with whom he shared 45 years of marriage, his children Kashmeer, Jashmeer, and Ashley, and his three grandchildren. His life left an indelible mark on the people he touched. Harbans Singh will be remembered not just for the life he led but for the many lives he enriched along his journey.