Bhai Kanhaiyaji 18.9.1998

Bhai Kanhaiya (1648–1718), was a Sikh (disciple) of Guru Tegh Bahadur and was requested to establish the Sevapanthi or Addanshahi order of the Sikhs by Guru Gobind Singh.

During the frequent sallies and skirmishes between the Sikhs and the enemy, Bhai Kanhaiya was often seen carrying a mashak (a sort of pouch made of goat's skin that was used to carry water from one place to another), to serve water to anyone who was thirsty. He took upon the task of quenching the thirst of the wounded soldiers in the battle of Anandpur Sahib in 1704. He did this sewa with love and affection without any discrimination between the Guru's Sikh soldiers and the Mughal armies' soldiers. His act of compassion stirred up stern criticism amongst his fellow Sikhs, who complained to Guru Gobind Singh, pointing out that Bhai Kanhaiya Ji was serving water to the wounded soldiers from the enemy camp. They were especially annoyed because the Mughals had surrounded the city and stopped all their food supplies, and here was Bhai Kanhaiya sharing with them what little water they had. They had tried to stop him many a time, but he would not pay any heed. Guru Gobind Singh summoned Bhai Kanhaiya and explained that he had received a complaint about his actions on the battlefield.

Guruji said, “These brave Sikhs are saying that you go and give water to the enemy and they recover to fight them again – Is this true?”

Bhai Kanhaiya Ji replied "Yes, my Guru, what they say is true. But Maharaj, I saw no Mughal or Sikh on the battlefield. I only saw human beings. And, ... Guru Ji, .. they all have the same God’s Spirit? – Guru Ji, have you not taught us to treat all God's people as the same? OUR SIKH HEROES DESTROY ENEMIES BY KILLING THEM, BUT I DESTROY ENMITY BY GIVING THEM WATER."

Nanak Singh 10.1.1998

Nanak Singh (4 July 1897 – 28 December 1971), born Hans Raj, was a poet, songwriter and novelist in the Punjabi language. His writing in support of India's independence movement led the British to arrest him. He published several novels which won him literary acclaim.

Baba Kharak Singh 6.10.1988

Baba Kharak Singh (6 June 1867 - 6 October 1963) was born at Sialkot in British India. He was involved in the Indian independence movement and was president of the Central Sikh League.

The uncrowned King of the Sikhs. A politician who spurned positions, perks and privileges, Baba Kharak Singh (1867-1963) was often addressed by this title. Baba Kharak Singh's name is associated with the birth of political consciousness in Punjab, its maturing into a movement and the first triumph of the experiment of passive resistance to be carried out in India. He is the most important Sikh character of the Indo-British history.

An aristocratic lineage and his family's good relations with the British (Baba Kharak Singh's father and his elder brother held the titles of Rai Bahadur), did not prevent this well-educated man (the Baba was among the first graduates from Panjab University, Lahore, in 1899) from joining the freedom struggle.

Sir Muhammad Iqbal 21.4.1988

Sir Muhammad Iqbal (9 November 1877 – 21 April 1938), widely known as Allama Iqbal,  was an academic, poet, barrister, philosopher, and politician in British India. He is considered one of the most important figures in Urdu literature, with literary work in both the Urdu and Persian languages.

In 1922, he was knighted by King George V, giving him the title "Sir". While studying law and philosophy in England, Iqbal became a member of the London branch of the All-India Muslim League. Later, in one of his most famous speeches, Iqbal pushed for the creation of a Muslim state in Northwest India. This took place in his presidential speech in the League's December 1930 session.

In much of Southern Asia and Urdu speaking world, Iqbal is regarded as the Shair-e-Mashriq ("Poet of the East"). In India he is also remembered as the author of the popular song Saare Jahaan Se Achcha.

TYAGMURTI GOSWAMI GANESHDUTT 2.11.1987

Goswami Ganeshdutt was born to Goswami Mulchand and his wife Nihaldevi on 2nd November 1889 at Chiniot in Jhang District, Punjab. Educated at the Oriental College in Lahore, he worked briefly as a lecturer in a village. But even before he completed his education, he had taken a vow to wear coarse cloth and eat one meal a day, an austere life which later earned him the title of "Tyagmurti". 

He was fascinated by the ascetic tradition of saints, the "Sant Parampara", and in later years, by the "advait" philosophy of Swami Ram Tirth. In 1923 he became a disciple of Madan Mohan Malviya, the founder of the Sanatana Dharma Sabha, and was made its General Secretary. Becoming the guiding spirit behind the Sabha, he dedicated his life to various aspects of social work.