Khushwant Singh, known for his forceful and fearless writing in India’s literary world for more than sixty years, died at his New Delhi residence.

Khushwant Singh was ninety nine. “He was fine and passed away peacefully at his residence in Sujan Singh Park in Delhi today, March 20, 2014. He led a very full life. He had some breathing problems.” his daughter Mala Singh said.

Khushwant Singh, a Sikh, was born in Hadali (now in Pakistan) on February 2, 1915. He came into prominence after India got independence from Britain in 1947. He was a lawyer turned diplomat turned writer.

Khushwant Singh was editor of several literary and news magazines, including the Illustrated Weekly Of India as well as two newspapers, The Hindustan Times and the National Herald, through the 1970s and 1980s. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1974 but returned the decoration in 1984 in protest against the storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar by the army.

Train To Pakistan and I Shall Not Hear The Nightingale are just a few of his many classics that this great writer is known for.

Khushwant Singh was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the government under Late Indira Gandhi. He was a Member of Parliament from 1980 to 1986.

Speaking at an event in February 2014, Rahul Singh had said that his father was politically naive and foolish and someone who spoke from the heart. He liked to call a spade a spade. He hated hypocrisy, fundamentalism, and was a gentle person,” stated his son Rahul Singh.

Khushwant Singh is survived by Rahul Singh, his son, who is a journalist and his daughter Mala Singh.

The man who made a place in the heart of millions of Indians with his irreverence and love of poetry will be laid to rest at the Lodhi Road crematorium at 04:00 pm today.