Tributes have poured in from Indian expatriates here for Khushwant Singh, the well-known writer, who died at his home in New Delhi on Thursday.

“He will be remembered for enlivening writing in India,” said Shakeel Zaidy, an engineer. He said that Singh was never boring. “He was never hated, although there were people who did not like him going overboard or being overenthusiastic about his views on freedom of expression.”

“His writing included jokes and books. A Sikh, he never shied away from Sardarji jokes (based on stereotypes of Sikhs), and his novels ‘Train to Pakistan’ and ‘I Shall Not Hear the Nightingale’ are still popular among lovers of literature,” he said.

His 423-page autobiography, “Truth, Love and a Little Malice: An Autobiography,” remains a non-fiction best seller on the local book markets. Several editions have been printed and sold.

One reviewer, Surjit Kaur, wrote: “It is the autobiography of a Sikh of eminence who made a tremendous difference in Sikh affairs without laying any claim to being a good Sikh himself.” According to her, it is a book, “worthy of the icon of our age, and worthy of educated, cultured homes of all those people who care about the future of the human race.”

He studied law in England, and then started practicing in Lahore, but soon realized he disliked the profession. He once wrote: “Perhaps it was my failure to make it big in the legal profession. I asked myself, ‘Is there anything creative in practicing law? Don’t I owe more to the one life I have than making money out of other people’s quarrels?’“

He believed that parties based on religion would destroy the country.

He served as a press attaché at the Indian High Commission in London, and held a prestigious position with UNESCO in Paris, which he gave up, according to Kaur, “due to his feelings of guilt because he thought he was not working hard enough to justify his existence.”

Mohammed Tahqique, an industrial plant manager, said Singh has enriched his age and inspired many young men and women. “He revived the Illustrated Weekly of India when it was dull and dying,” he said, and added, “there were many who read the publications he edited because of his unique touch.”

Singh edited several other magazines and newspapers in the 1970s and 1980s including the Hindustan Times. He was also a guest columnist with Arab News for quite some time and a staunch supporter of the Gulf Co-operation Council stand on the Palestinian cause.

Sibi George, charge d’affaires at the Indian embassy in Riyadh, told Arab News: “He was the mark of Indian unity in diversity, a gifted author, candid commentator, prominent journalist and one of India’s best known satirists. He was loved by people irrespective of caste, creed or gender.”

Mohammad Nasim Akhtar, vice president, Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association, Riyadh chapter, said: “Very sad to hear of Singh’s death.” The writer had spoken at a function of the organization in Riyadh in the past, he said.

Mohammed Quaiser, president of Tanzeem Hum Hindustani, a non-profit and non-religious organization of overseas Indians in the Kingdom, said: “He was best known for his trenchant secularism, his humor, and an abiding love of poetry and will be greatly missed.”

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tweeted: “A gifted author, candid commentator and a dear friend. He lived a truly creative life.” The noted writer was decorated with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award in 2007.

— Related reports on Page 6 & 19