Quick Facts
Biography
Malkit Singh Tehang is a long standing leader of the Sikh community in Sandwell. He is the ex-president of the first and largest Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) in the UK - Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick.
Background
Born in 1954 in the village Tehang, near Phillaur, Punjab, Malkit migrated from Punjab to the United Kingdom in the 1970s. As with many Sikhs at the time Malkit became an Amritdhari (Baptised) Sikh in 1984 after the Operation Bluestar attack on the Golden Temple.
Since 1984 he has worked for the Sikh community. He was selected onto the committee in the late 1980s and into the 1990s.
Malkit first became the president of the Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick in 1999 in which he completed the main building situated at 128-130 High Street Smethwick.
History
Malkit Singh Tehang played an active role in the Sikh community since his arrival from Punjab. He first became president of Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick in 1999. The Gurdwara Sahib was brought in 1961 and was in need of repairs building works commenced, in 1984 Daljit Singh Shergill was selected president and Malkit selected as the Vice President. Malkit along with other members of the Gurdwara spent over 25 years of selfless service to his community, speaking on a BBC interview on the completion of the main building in 1999 he commented "We didn't just build a landmark Gurdwara, but a community hub for generations to come."
During Malkit Singh Tehang's term from 1999 - 2001 the Gurdwara also purchased 126 High Street and the former TS Garage on the Trinity Street.
With the support of the Sikh community Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick was reformed and known as the largest Gurdwara in Europe after its completion in 1999.
Soon after as with the ever growing community more property was purchased and the Gurdwara was further extended in 2013 to include a new larger Langar hall, new modern kitchen, function hall, gymnasium, lecture theatre and other useful facilities for the community.
In 2005 the Smethwick Youth and Community Centre (SYCC) project was completed, this project was also started under the supervision of Malkit Singh Tehang.
Malkit was re-selected as the president of the Gurdwara management committee in April 2013, he serves as the Vice Chair on the SYCC, he is a member of both the council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Sandwell and of the Sikh Council UK.
