HONORABLE RICHARD G. LUGAR: A WORLD-CLASS STATESMAN, RHODE SCHOLAR, DISTINGUISHED MAYOR AND U.S. SENATOR, A DEDICATED SEVAK (TIRELESS SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE AND OUR NATION)
A DEVOTED AND VENERATED FAMILY MAN, AND FAITHFUL SERVANT OF HIS LORD

Los Angeles,May. 10, 2019
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh Grewal

With his passing a radiant Hoosier Sun has set, a brilliant light has gone out for millions that he served and for many more millions whose lives he touched with his wisdom, grace, humility, and friendship. Mayor Lugar's measured farsighted approach built bridges and solved problems; his extraordinary vision transformed his beloved City of Indianapolis. Even our adversaries respected him, agreed and took steps towards reduction of deadly nuclear stockpiles. Senator Lugar exuded all-embracing spirit, honesty, and decency; he engendered trust and above board character that earned him the highest honors from France, Germany, United Kingdom, and the United States.

I loved and admired Senator Lugar for his call in early 1970's at an Indiana Diwali celebration to invite all Hoosiers and recent newcomers in Indiana to come and help give shape to his envisioned renaissance of Indianapolis, thought by many as "India-no-place" and transform our City into an attractive destination for new ideas, energy, and international spirit. I came as a stranger in the Fall of 1967 and suddenly felt that I belonged to a place with incredible promise.

As U.S. Senator, he followed it up by reaching across thresholds of frontiers and faiths, cultures and nationalities. I was proud to introduce him at three National Sikh American gatherings in Washington, DC. in recent decades.

The Honorable Richard Lugar was my friend for over 51 years. I will always fondly remember his willingness to guide me to engage in service and in thoughtful and compassionate ways he promoted my artwork and passions. He wrote the most generous Foreword to my book: The Art and Spirit of KP Singh ~ Selected Drawings and Writings. We visited and communicated over the years and never lost touch. For me, he was like a venerable ancient sage and teacher who understood life, liberty, sacrifice, struggles, triumphs and setbacks, and never lost his sense of love for his family, friends, Nation, and the ideas and pursuits that matter. Time and history will see our beloved Richard Lugar as a Rattn (rare and precious gem) among Hoosiers and Americans and with a spirit that was emancipated by his grace, humility, and faith and nurtured by his tireless striving to shape and serve righteous ideals.

This great champion of peace, service and respect for our intertwined humanity who was nominated for Nobel Prize for Peace, leaves a timeless legacy and lessons that we must honor, not just as a tribute to a distinguished Hoosier, but speak of all that is noble and compassionate, enlightened and brilliant, daring and right about the American spirit. Richard Lugar is among the galaxy of architects who tirelessly worked to honor and advance our divinely-inspired Constitution and in making our Nation a welcome place for others in search of being partners in our collective dreams and shared destiny.

Dear Friend: Like many of your friends, I will miss you. We as a family send our prayers for your family as you enter the Gates of Heaven with your head held high and the brilliant Light of your awesome accomplishments as your offerings at the Highest Court. We can imagine your warm welcome Home by the Lord and receiving blessings of His Peace through Eternity. With love and deepest regards, your friend, KP Singh - Indianapolis, Indiana USA - May 6, 2019