Tributes paid to 'amazing and generous' city restaurateur Major Singh
Tributes have been paid to a much-loved city restaurateur, who has died at the age of 68.
Major Singh Jawanda owned and ran Lakshmi Sweet Centre in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton.
He grew up in the Punjab in India and moved to the Midlands in 1968, initially working in a foundry.
He opened a small Punjabi sweet shop in 1981 before taking over an old petrol station site on Dudley Road in 2013, where he opened his three-floor restaurant.
A well known and popular figure in the city, Mr Singh helped out local foodbanks during the pandemic and prepared meals for the community.
He died following a short illness.
Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden, said: "This is really sad news. Major Singh has been a big part of life in the Dudley Road area for many years.
"He always gave customers such a warm and friendly reception and Lakshmi Sweet Centre is known for providing great food.
"I knew him for a long time and took many friends to eat there over the years. His loss will be keenly felt and I send my deepest condolences to his wife and family."
Councillor Milkinder Jaspal said: "Major Singh started out running a small shop on Dudley Road and went on to open his own restaurant.
"He was a lovely man - a real gentleman. He will be greatly missed."
A statement from the Elias Mattu Foundation, said: "He was a great man who went above and beyond for the community.
"During Covid he worked alongside us providing hot meals for 12 weeks for the community. Major ji was so generous he called us during the second lockdown to offer his services again.
"Major will be greatly missed, another great man gone. RIP Major Singh."
Councillor Asha Mattu, who runs the foundation, added: "He helped us right from the start, providing up to 300 packages of hot meals a day for three or four days a week.
"It was all from his own pocket. He was an amazing man, so generous and so giving. People like him are very hard to come by."
Blakenhall councillor Paul Birch, said: "We were heartbroken to hear the news of the tragic passing of Major Singh.
"He was a generous benefactor during the lockdown to many of the food banks operating now in the city. The Elias Mattu Foundation alone received hundreds of meals prepared for the community by Lakshmi Sweet Centre. Major could always be relied upon to step forwards and help people.
"Major Singh has had a personal impact on the lives of very many people in the community. His passing leaves a deep chasm in the hearts of those of us who loved him.
"He will be sadly missed and we think of his family, who were always front and centre of everything he did."
