Manka, officially known as Tarandeep Singh Shergill was born to Sardar Mohanbir Singh Shergill and Sardarni Karminder Kaur with Jattawan in his hair after millions of prayers from everyone and blessings of “Baba Budha Ji”, one of the ideal and great Sikhs of the Guru Period. Baba Budha Ji was one of the most revered and sacred Saints too.
A blessed child, he grabbed everyone’s attention for his charismatic personality and pleasing demeanor. During his schooling at Paragon 69, Manka got inclined towards music and literature. He was quite often seen handling students’ programmes independently and performing to singing events on the school’s stage.
The exposure fuelled up his passion and he mastered music instruments and learned music under the tutelage of a music teacher. As the time passed by, Manka grew up into a confident, bold, handsome man and entered SD college, Punjab University to pursue his BA degree where he was nominated as Student Leader by Punjab University Students Union (PUSU).
His knowledge on varied subjects and command over English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu languages leveraged his oratory skills. He addressed many gatherings and political campaigns making him a dynamic leader and a youth icon.
A voracious reader, he would spend long hours reading literature, penning poems and songs which he planned to compile for his book release. He was going to be honored for his poetic skills on 20th March 2011 but destiny had something else stored in. He was snatched by the cruel destiny on 12th March 2011 in a road accident which led to him receiving the honor “posthumously” on his Bhog and Antim Ardas.
Manka’s affinity towards kids made him spend quite a valuable time with children sharing with them his knowledge and experiences. He also taught Senior Secondary students at Paragon 69 various subjects such as History, Political Science and Sociology. He always supported every kid who wished to study financially and otherwise. Kids too were fond of him and called him “Manka Mamu” with great respect and love. Such were his values that he saved injured birds with his students and nursed them till the time they were ready to take off again.
A lover of life, Manka celebrated and would celebrate all the festivals at school with school kids. The sudden demise of this promising young man is an irreparable loss to many. However, he continues to live in everybody’s heart and memories leaving a legacy of his dreams and vision to carry ahead. Nanhe Manke is dedicated to his fond and loving memory with a vision to inculcate knowledge and values which Manka left behind for educating young minds to spread joy and smiles and touch everybody’s life.