California NRI Dr. Amarjit Singh Marwah, Philanthropist and Pioneer
Dies at 99
Los Angeles/Jan 07, 2025
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/A.Gary Singh
Dr. Amarjit Singh Marwah, a revered figure in the Sikh and global community, passed away peacefully on January 7, 2025, in Malibu, CA, at the age of 99. A trailblazer in philanthropy, civic leadership, and cultural preservation, Dr. Marwah’s legacy is one of profound service and generosity.
Arriving in the U.S. on a Fulbright scholarship in 1950, Dr. Marwah built a successful dental practice in California while dedicating his life to community upliftment. In 1969, he established the first Sikh temple in the U.S.—the Hollywood Sikh Temple—through his donation of its building and property, fostering a vibrant Sikh community in Los Angeles.
Beyond his work in the U.S., Dr. Marwah significantly advanced education and infrastructure in Punjab, founding the KK Marwah Girls College and modernizing rural villages. He also served Los Angeles as a civic leader, preserving historic landmarks and donating his public service salary to benefit the city.
Dr. Marwah’s unparalleled contributions earned recognition from the City of Los Angeles and the Indian Consulate, celebrating his role as a bridge between cultures. His family expressed gratitude for the love and support during this time of mourning.
Dr. Marwah’s passing marks the end of an era, but his extraordinary legacy of compassion and service will continue to inspire generations. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
UPDATES
BIOGRAPHY
- Dr. Amarjit Singh Marwah was born in the village of Bhera in Shahpur district to mother Amarjit. His grandfather Dr Sucha Singh was the Chief of Medical Services in the princely Faridkot State in 1880. In 1910, his father, Dr Chanda Singh, held the same position. Spoiled by his loving grandmother.
- After finishing high school from Kot Kapura, Punjab, he joined college in Lahore and also graduated with a degree in Dentistry from there.
- Dr. Marwah came to the U.S. on a Fulbright scholarship under the Guggenheim Foundation to study pediatric dentistry in New York in 1953
- He started KK Marwah Girls College (named after his wife, Kuljit Kaur Marwah) in Faridkot, Punjab.
- In Mahindra College, Patiala, he helped build an auditorium in his mother in law, Kartar Kaur Sodhi’s name with matching funds.
ACHIEVEVMENTS
- He was also a co-founder of the Bank of Punjab, along with Dr. Inderjit Singh of Punjab and Sindh Bank.
- Dr. Marwah is also known as the Founder of the first Sikh Gurudwara in Los Angeles in 1969.
- He also helped finance and support Dalip Singh Saund in the late 1950s, who was the first ever United States Congressman of South Asian descent.
The American Association of Orthodontists is the world's oldest and largest dental specialty organization. It represents nearly 19,000 orthodontist members throughout the United States, Canada and abroad. It was Founded in 1900.