Tributes have poured in for a prominent member of the borough's Sikh community.

Makhan Singh Johal, who arrived in Gravesend from India in 1975, died last week after a long battle with cancer.

He ran a number of businesses and was best known for his contribution to the local arts and sports scene.

The 64-year-old had a singing career which spanned more than 35 years, where he performed with Jugnu Bhangra Group, Rooh Punjab Dee and Four by Four Bhangra at events around the world.

Makhan was also well known for the positive contribution he made to the Guru Nanak Kabbadi Club where he played the Punjabi sport for many years both in the UK and abroad.

In latter years he was an active member of management for the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend where he served the community selflessly for many years."

The popular figure was very active in supporting underprivileged people in Punjab, north India, where he was born.

He would offer free drop-in sessions around cancer awareness and helped create a free gym and boxing club to support females across all ages.

"He was a much loved figure who was very well known within the Sikh community..."

Kent Equality Cohesion Council chief executive Gurvinder Sandher, said: “I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Makhan Singh Johal, someone who I had the honour of knowing for many years and who was an avid supporter of our work.

"He was a much-loved figure who was very well known within the Sikh community not just in the UK but around the world.

"This is underlined by the fact that since his passing tributes have poured in globally from artists within the Punjabi music industry to members of the local community whose hearts he touched.

"He will be dearly missed by the community but we will find solace in the fact that his legacy lives on in his family and within the cultural and sports scene in Gravesham to which he contributed so greatly to.”

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