My first memory of Jugnu is in Prep School at the start of term. There was a small crowd of children, and two teachers shouting at the bottom of a tall pine tree.  And high up there was a young six-year-old boy who was refusing to come down. He wanted to go higher,  right to the top. The altercation lasted a long while. He wouldn’t come down.

This story describes aptly the man we are talking about.

Jugnu started school in Prep school in 1954 and finished 10 years later as Head Boy. He came from a military family who had already sent his older sister and older brother to Sanawar. A younger sister was to follow. These were head starts for a life in Sanawar.

Already in Prep school, Jugnu stood out from the crowd. He was a bright, energetic, impish boy, ready for fun or a prank at any time.

So when he was punished for teasing some girls by being made to wear a frock, the punishment backfired. He gave us a song and dance, with mirth all around. He was a born showman.

His energy and showmanship found the exact right outlet on the sports field. So with the ball at football or in hockey, he would dribble and attack the other goal relentlessly, single-handed, not looking to pass the ball, aiming to take it right to the goal himself. This self-belief, physical skill, and persistence, made him the great sportsman that he was. Every time the ball came to him, the crowd would cheer, and Jugnu would respond with a fine show of individual skill. And so it was from Lower III  to Upper VI form, year after year, from cricket season to football season, from hockey season to athletics and boxing, Jugnu was on top in every game , contributing to making his house, Nilagiri , cock house for many years in a row.

But the playground was not his only forte. He was tall, graceful, good looking, and he had a melodious voice.This led to many leading roles in house and school plays, often with a singing number. He was also an accomplished mouth-organ player, taking out all the popular songs of the day on his little instrument.

So it was only natural that he ended up with all the accolades you could collect in school, for himself, for his house and for the school : captain of every house and school team, NCC parade leader, Spartan club member, and of course Head Boy. We looked up to him in awe, not to mention the effect on the girls. He was a giant of a boy.

So we left him in 1964, famous with at least six generations of Sanawarians under him ( from Lower III upwards).

We are all curious about how he fared after school.

Research reveals that he fared very well. After school he went to Hindu College in Delhi  and then took a short job in a tea garden in Bengal. Shortly thereafter he went to the UK to seek his fortune, where he met his American wife to be, Dana. They married and settled in Connecticut, USA. Dana was a health worker and an artist and Jugnu started his own business in science and lasers. (Later, with his NASA affiliated son, he dabbled in rocket science).

There followed 28 years of happy married life, and despite some family differences, there were visits to and from India of both the families. He raised three successful children, two sons and a daughter ( Oldest Nasa affiliated son , Chrishma Singh; film producer daughter, Chinkara Singh, and youngest son Troy Singh)

By all accounts, in America he was the same attractive man we left in 1964. He was full of life, going camping, hiking, horse-riding, dog walking,  building cabins for his children, playing cowboys and Indians, singing and dancing, sporting a turban — altogether a great father.

And personally, he was the same charming dandy, the same debonaire man, appreciated and  famous in his local  town.

One unexpected change did occur. He found solace in yoga and meditation, no doubt helping to calm his exuberant personality. He did not smoke or drink, speaking of a certain inner peace.

After 28 years of marriage, he returned to India with, a short spell in Australia, where he had an affaire with a local lady. Of this union came a fourth child, Nara,  who he recognized and kept up with as a father.

For his last 24 years, he lived peacefully in Goa with his older brother, Bulbul. They were very close, "two peas in a pod".

There were visits from his American family during this time, giving him company and maintaining a living connexion between  India and America.


Jugnu had a stroke in December 2024 and passed away on 23 April of this year. He was lucky to have his American daughter Chinkara, by his bedside  just a few weeks before.

We have lost a legendary character. We remember him respectfully for the pleasure he gave us , with his sporting skills, his leadership and his colourful personality. We salute our Head Boy Jugnu. May his soul rest in peace.

Harbans Nagpal  
NBD 1956- 1964.