Assam: Sikh family's century-long legacy shapes Margherita's development

A remarkable tale of community contribution emerges from number 83 Constituency, where a small Sikh family of just 80 members has left an indelible mark on the region's socio-economic landscape.

 

The Virdi family, spanning five generations, stands as evidence of entrepreneurial spirit and civic commitment in North Eastern Coalfields. Bhupender Singh Virdi, a prominent social worker and proprietor of Virdi Motor Works, narrates a rich family history rooted in service and development.

 

His grandfather, Bawa Singh Virdi, arrived in Makum in 1897 from Shillong and established the first sawmill in Upper Assam - Universal General Timber - in 1908, employing hundreds of local workers. The family's philanthropic legacy includes significant land donations that transformed community infrastructure.

 

Critical contributions include donating land for Tinsukia Gurudwara, Tinsukia Women's College hostel, A'R & T Company Ltd Margherita shed, and Adarsha Vidya Mandir High School building.

 

In 1970, Bhupender Singh Virdi launched Virdi Motor Works, a workshop that has trained over 500 local youth, facilitating employment across various sectors. The family's commitment to regional progress continues through subsequent generations.

 

Currently, the fourth generation is represented by Bhupender's sons - Maninder Singh Virdi and Rajpal Virdi, an advocate - while Maninder's children constitute the fifth generation of this pioneering Margherita Sikh family.