Dr. Ranjit Singh has left for his heavenly abode. Ranjit was born in India in 1942. He passed away on February 21, 2019, at age 76, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Ranjit was educated in India at ITT-Kanpur. He came to the United States in 1965. Ranjit graduated from MIT with a PhD in Materials. After graduation, Ranjit embarked on a career as an entrepreneur and inventor. He founded Ranjit Corporation d/b/a Diamond Essence. The company sold finished jewelry through mail order catalogs and featured the manufacture of cubic zirconia in a process developed by Ranjit. Ranjit Corporation employed hundreds of people over a thirty-five year period in Cedar Knolls.

Ranjit used his success to lift the underprivileged, especially in his home region of Kanpur. He created scholarships and endowed professor chairs at ITT-Kanpur. His last philanthropic project is called Rozi Shiksha Kendra, or Center for Education and Employment, run by ITT-Kanpur. It was Ranjit’s hope that this project will serve as a model for education and employment opportunities.

Ranjit possessed a towering intellect which was matched by his sense of humor and huge heart. May his work on earth continue to inspire others to help those less fortunate and may his soul rest in peace. He is survived by his sister, several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. He will be missed.