Fire deptment pays tribute to Mahinder

KUALA LUMPUR: Senior assistant superintendent Mahinder Singh, 57, may have passed away but he has left a tremendous legacy of knowledge, ideas and development strategies for his colleagues to take on and continue for the betterment of the fire and rescue department.
His life's work will now impact and also become more meaningful for not only his colleagues but friends, relatives and his family.
The passionate and dedicated fire fighter was given a befitting tribute and farewell by his superiors and fellow officers and men yesterday following his demise on Sept 17.
It was with deep regret but with pride that the Jinjang Utara Fire & Rescue Department officers and men paid tribute with a four-firetruck procession, a first ever for an officer, as his body was taken to the Cheras Crematorium yesterday.
Known for his joviality and talent to capture his audience with wit and humour when imparting important information he is a loss to the department, says City Fire and Rescue Department director Khirudin Drahman.
"He dedicated his whole life to fire fighting. He is a wonderful man and will be greatly remembered and sadly missed," he said.
Khirudin added: "He was very passionate and dedicated to his job. He always strived to improve his knowledge in the area of fire fighting. In fact, he pursued his Masters in Occupational Safety and Health at his own expense and effort, just to improve his knowledge. He used to stay up with me until late at night, discussing ways for improvement."
Mahinder's close friend senior superintendent Kobala Krishnan Subramaniam who knew him for 30 years said: "He was more than a colleague. He was a mentor to me as well, I joined the department four years after he did, and he always guided and helped me out."
He said Mahinder was a man of many achievements and the leader in the Highlands Tower collapse rescue operations in 1993.
Fire Prevention Council Malaysia national chairman Datuk Dr. Soh Chai Hock, who was also the former director-general of the Fire and Rescue Department said Mahinder was a man who did not hesitate to give people a rude wake up call, if need be.
In his line of work, he said, Mahinder was in the forefront to help in situations that was dangerous and with lives at stake.
Mahinder suffered a stroke on Aug 27 after celebrating his eldest son Dr Keshminder Singh's birthday.
He leaves wife Jaswant Kaur, and four children: Dr Keshminder Singh, Dr Jasminder Kaur, Dr Hardin Singh and Ishnavin Sing who is currently studying medicine in Russia.