Comrade Nishan Singh, 77, passed away on the morning of 18 July 2026. He had served as a member of the Party's Uttarakhand State Committee. He was also a National Council member of AICCTU and was serving as the President of AICCTU Uttarakhand.
For the past year, he had been dependent on intensive medical care after suffering a stroke that left him partially paralysed. His passing marks the tragic and untimely end of a life that embodied the revolutionary consciousness forged during the movements of the 1980s and remained steadfast in the struggles of the present.
A retired headmaster, Comrade Nishan Singh was popularly known as Nishan Massab. He was a warm-hearted, free-spirited, and cheerful comrade, known for his wit, quick repartee, remarkable presence of mind, and generous hospitality towards comrades. Though a teacher by profession, he had the temperament of a peasant. From tending cattle to milking cows and buffaloes, he took pride in doing every task himself.
Comrade Nishan Singh was born on 1 March 1949 in Punjab. Following the circumstances arising from the Partition, his family settled in the Terai region of Rudrapur in Nainital district. Punjab was deeply influenced by the legacy of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and the communist movement, influences that also shaped the young Nishan Singh. He joined the Communist Party in his youth. As an active worker, he was associated with the CPI and the CPI(M) before joining the CPI(ML) at its very inception.
The confusion that followed the death of Comrade Charu Majumdar also affected the Terai region. However, the arrival of Comrade Deepak Bose in the Terai-Rudrapur area enabled Nishan Singh to reconnect with the Party.
During this period, he entered government service as a primary school teacher. He played a role in uniting primary teachers and emerged as a highly respected teachers' leader. Even after his retirement in 2010, he remained active in the teachers' movement. At the same time, he deepened his involvement with AICCTU, becoming the President of AICCTU Uttarakhand, a position he held until his last day. He also served as a member of the organisation's National Council.
He maintained close relations with people from all walks of life. His life was marked by simplicity and an unwavering commitment to revolutionary ideals. His passing marks the end of a significant chapter in the history of struggles in the Terai region, spanning from the 1960s to the present.
His home was a centre of constant activity, welcoming Left activists, student leaders, trade unionists, social activists, relatives, teachers, and countless others. The entire family lived in a spirit of collective commitment, and together they made their home a true home for the Party. Comrade Nishan Singh dedicated a part of his house to serve as the Party's district office in Udham Singh Nagar.
He is survived by his wife, a son, and two daughters, including Comrade Amandeep Kaur, who is currently a member of the Party's Uttarakhand State Committee as well as a member of the Uttarakhand Bar Council.
His demise marks the sad conclusion of a revolutionary journey that began in the 1960s.
Red Salute to Comrade Nishan Singh!
