Draft:Ranjit Singh Rana

Ranjit Singh Rana is a renowned writer, poet, historian and broadcaster based in Birmingham, UK. Since the 1990s, he has become a leading figure within the British Asian community.

Ranjit received a BA Honours in 1981 at Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar. He has also received a Giana Diploma Course from Panjab University in Chandigarh in 1978.

Born in Panjab, Ranjit arrived in the United Kingdom in 1985. Ranjit first ran an independent community magazine called ‘Sikh Pariwar’ (Sikh Family) from 1987-1992, before joining the bilingual weekly newspaper ‘Punjabi Guardian’ as Assistant Editor. Since 2002, he has been serving as the Chief Editor of ‘Sahib’ monthly magazine, the longest running Punjabi community magazine. Ranjit has also worked at community radio stations such as APNA Radio, hosting the weekly religious programme and was a regular contributor to the BBC Asian Network Poetry programme. Since 2009, Ranjit Singh Rana has been a familiar face to Sikhs across the world, presenting prime time programmes, firstly on Sikh Channel, and then from 2012 on Sangat TV. His various programmes cover Sikh history, social issues and current affairs. Ranjit has been instrumental in preserving Sikh historical shrines in Pakistan, many of which were shut and in dilapidated conditions since the partition of the subcontinent in 1947. Since 1994, Ranjit has led hundreds of groups from the UK to Pakistan to visit these shrines among other historical sites, opening access to the country for the Sikh community worldwide. Ranjit has become a community-based Ambassador to the country.

Ranjit's many books cover topics that range from spiritual topics (Rana 2010) to historical documents (Rana 2015). Mainly written in Panjabi, they include:
 * Sach Di Awaaz - poetry 1985
 * Duphair Khiri Da Phul* - poetry 1989
 * Bohar Di Shavain - poetry 1992
 * Nanak Da Punjab - poetry 1993
 * Saadey Sameyein Da Punjab - poetry 1999
 * Britainvi Vaisakhi Kavi - poetry 1999
 * Sone Warga Sach - poetry 2002
 * Zindagi di Taash - collection of articles 2007
 * Teravan Panna - spiritual articles 2008
 * Oye Bhi Chandan Hoye Rahe - biography 2009
 * Jaa Toon Sahib * - spiritual articles 2010
 * Baba Hardas Singh - historical based novel 2011
 * Kartarpur Karta Vase - history 2013
 * Fatehgarh Sahib, Saka Sirhand de Angole Shaheed - history 2015
 * Hazoori Shaheed - history 2015
 * Shaheede Gatha Baba Moti Ram Mehra - history 2015
 * Bharti Samaj Bich Aurat Di Dsha- history 2018
 * Bhai Budhu Shah Prajapat - history 2021
 * Bhai Budhu Ji Prajapat - history 2025

Ranjit's poetry has also been put to music 

For his work in literature, Sikh history and social issues, Ranjit has been honoured with fifteen awards and honours that include:
 * 1999 - Poet of the Year Award for poetry book, ‘Saadey Sameyan Da Punjab’ - Punjabi Arts Council UK
 * 2001 - Syed Waris Shah Award for Poetry - Punjabi Sath Lambra, India
 * 2006 - Prof Puran Singh Award for Literature - Academy of National Literature and Culture, Chandigarh, India
 * 2007 - Ambassador of Punjabi Language and Culture - Nabha Vikas Council, India
 * 2010 - Baba Banda Singh Bahudar Award for contribution to Sikh faith - Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee