Celebrating the Life of Sir Mohinder Dhillon: Forever be remembered on earth and in heaven.

Yesterday 9^th March, 2020 a great Son of Africa passed on while undergoing medical attention at Agha Khan Hospital Nairobi.

"If you live for yourself only, you have not really lived, only by living for others can you claim that you have truly lived”  quote by Sir Mohinder Mohinder, as we reflect on this timely wisdom passed to him and  resonate with all  human race to date.

Sir Mohinder Dhillon. Born in 1931 in Babar Pur Village, Punjab India. He was among Urdu speaking youngsters whom travelled from India Continent to Africa in 1947 to join his father Tek Singh fondly referred as Bau Ji –Who was working for the East Africa Railways.

I wish to confess that, to me Sir Mohinder Dhillon is more than a mentor and a father figure to me.

Sir Mohinder Dhillon reflections are captured vividly in his memoir book titled” My Camera, My Life”.

Most notable activity that he will be remembered for is the way he managed to mobilize the world through his photos during 1984 Ethiopia Famine where thousands of people lost their lives, his photos published worldwide moved the entire human race towards philanthropic support where the late Micheal Jackson and a host of other notable musician came together in the aid of the Ethiopians and  composed the  theme song  "Heal the World" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzDft0DZRUw

The Song lyrics

There's a place in your heart

And I know that it is love

And this place could be much

Brighter than tomorrow

And if you really try

You'll find there's no need to cry

In this place you'll feel

There's no hurt or sorrow

A glimpse of this inspiring book gives you insights on first hand experiences of Camera Man during Pan Africa Countries Struggles.

The bulk book is in a 3  Sub-book captures different  social ,political and economic aspects of Africa Countries, Europe and America, India Historical background in Kenya and Asia during second world war.Mau Mau Uprising, over the years Safari Rally trails.

In Ethiopia, the lifestyle of King Haile Selassie in Jubilee Palace his leadership to his death, I advise all adherents of Rastafari and Jamaicans to get a copy, he narrates how he managed to capture films of 1984 Ethiopia famine.

 He narrates of Kashmir Wars Aden War, Afghanistan War, Ethiopia wars within itself, the Oromo wars/ massacres Ogaden wars, FRELIMO wars.

He captures the mercenary’s war in Bukavu and in Bunjubura the mineral rich areas on a never ending wars. The Rwanda Massacre, Leopord Congo Ville wars, his views on army mutiny- in East Africa Countries, during Obote, Idi Amin Dada, Entebee Air Raid, in Tanzania-Karume Abeid Amani, Kabila ,Laurent Desire,Joseph Desire,Kaunda Kenneth,Mwalimu Julius Nyerere,Mobutu Sese Seko,Museveni Yoweri, Bob Robert Mugabe, Robert Kasabuvu, Muamar Qaadafi, Joseph Kasambuvu

He connects how British came up with Africa independence political party’s names, KANU-Kenya Africa National Union-Kenya. ZANU-Zimbabwe African National Union. TANU, How South Africa achieved independence in 1962.How a majority of Africa Countries got their independence in 1960-1964

How Professor Wangari Maathai rose to fame, how they worked overnight, the wisdom and knowledge he learnt on Environmental front. How he captured the America-Korean War, Phnom Penh Viet Cog war, how chemical orange was used to annihilate the communities and bigger swathe of  land across Vietnam become barren, how Vietnam government come up with mitigate measure of the chemical, he points out the Khomeini Ayattola Ruhollah.

His views in Pakistan, India, the Bhutto’s Families and political base.

Its inspiring on how he was able to film Comedian, Charlie Chaplin in a holiday in Kenya, how in real life Mr.Chaplin was  he then narrates how he was able to capture the Kenya shifta war.

His views on East African Railways and Habours Cooperation, He narrates of Muhammad Ali Boxing in Congo, titled Rumble in the Jungle, his friendship and business struggle with the Late Mohammed Amin whom perished in an Ethiopian Airways after terrorist hijacked the plane.

His filming Pope, John Paul ii.

During President Uhuru birth, the photo and how the security cordon off the hospital, in as much we had not achieved independence, to date this contradiction has never been addressed.

He narrates how deferent religion and different ideologies have evolved over the years, to understand Asia Community in Kenya, this is a must read book for all, to understand Rasta connection with Ethiopia Othodox Church, to understand Sikh religion or to understand the war between Pakistan and India, Kashmir and how the name Muthurwa in Nairobi was realized, it’s amazing that there existed a place with the same name in border between India and Pakistan(Utah Pradesh). The original name “Mithra” is a Goddess name, which means “to make covenant with”

In Kenya, learn about the activities and circumstances into the death of Kariuki Josiah Mwangi, Pio Gama Pinto,Muliro Masinde,Murumbi Joseph among others

The 1998 Bomblast in Kenya and Tanzania, the first responders

At household level he introduced and supported the Factual Films where every corner of the country a minivan used to show community films trans-versing the entire country, we used to refer it in "Watoto Ka Chini" children seat down.

To me i will always cherish his engagements and insight discussion, on how East Africa Railway was a fabulous cooperation, he fondly used to point out a Sikh Temple near Muthurwa estate next to Landi Mawe, the first of its kind in Africa built 1910,in existence to date.

Recently as the Israel was commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Holocaust which horrified the world at the time. He stated have we learnt anything from the holocaust? The hideous butchery and genocide is still being carried out in Yemen and Syria by the USA, Russia who are using chlorine gas, Saudi Arabia with the weapons supplied by the USA killing children, women and men; blocking the humanitarian aid to Yemen. These big powers are also destroying the infrastructure and they boast about it as if it was their God-given right. If not controlled, isn’t this situation building up to another holocaust?

Surely this world wasn’t ready for Sir Mohinder Dhillon. His spirit and compassion are transcendent. He was an angel on earth. We were so fortunate to have him in our lives.

Till we meet again, Comrade and Mentor.

Yours truly.

Patrick Kamotho Githinji

E.D-East Africa Climate Change Network

P.O.Box 8668-00200

Nairobi Kenya.