Celebrating the Life of Sir Mohinder Dhillon: Forever be remembered on earth and in heaven.
Yesterday 9th 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.
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