Tributes are being paid to a 'pillar' of the Hindu community in Greater Manchester who co-founded a town's first temple after his death.
Shree Ramsinghji Sardarsinghji Kumpavat - the longest-serving member of the Indian Association of Oldham - died aged 85 in the early hours of Sunday morning, it has been announced.
In a statement, the association lamented a 'huge loss not only for our organisation but also for the whole community' and praised his 'selfless contribution' to the town and its people.
A Greater Manchester MP, meanwhile, said the father-of-three was 'widely respected in the North for his decades of service'. Shree Ramsinghji arrived in Oldham in 1966, co-founding the association and the first Hindu temple in the town, said Stockport's Labour MP, Navendu Mishra in a tribute on social media.
In a statement, the Indian Association of Oldham said: "With deepest regret we inform you that Indian Association Oldham's longest serving member Shree Ramsinghji Sardarsinghji Kumpavat peacefully passed away during early hours of this morning. He was aged 85.
"Shree Ramsinghji had been one of the pillars of our organisation and the community. He served the Indian Association from the initial time of it's inception to the present day in his capacity as a social secretary, president, adviser and a trustee.
"Shree Ramsinhji's demise is a huge loss not only for our organisation but also for the whole community. He played a major role in various activities and projects of our organisation sacrificing his time, energy and resources for the community. His selfless contribution, with immense dedication and love for the welfare of everyone is unmatched.
"Shree Ramsinghji was a highly talented man with incredible skills of diplomacy that he used wisely to resolve organisational problems and keeping the community together. He will be sadly missed by both the older and younger generations of our community.
"Shree Ramsinghji leaves behind his children Gunvantsingh, Dipaksingh, Minakunver and their loving families. We express our heartfelt deep sympathy and condolences to the Kumpavat family. We pray for eternal peace for the departed soul.
"So sad to lose a legend of a man, a pillar of our community and such a wonderful soul."
MP Mr Mishra, said on Twitter: "Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Ramsingh ji Kumpavat. Having arrived in Oldham in 1966, he co-founded the Oldham Indian Association and the first Hindu temple in the town. He was widely respected in the North for his decades of service.
"Condolences to his family."
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