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Tributes to a Saint-soldier
Sentiments
expressed by acquaintances of Dr Kharak Singh were so
profound, touching that we, his family, wanted to preserve
these as a priceless gift from our father. So, we requested
some to write these down for us. They had either already
done it, or would love to do it, or would be honored/privileged
to do it. We are highly appreciative and thankful to everyone
for each and every word that they have said in honor of
our venerated and dear Dr Kharak Singh ji. These sentiments
are, indeed, a treasure for us, and we shall treasure
these as such.
Reproduced below are excerpts* (for constraint of space),
from the messages received, and those too from his recent
associates mainly, which speak for themselves about the
persona of Dr Kharak Singh ji:
Leaving
behind a large number of throbbing well wishers and sympathizers,
his departure from this world, set shocking waves of sorrow
and grief for the members of our association. He was guide
and Guru for us. It is with his blessing and guidance
that our Association is functioning nicely for the last
14 years.
Dr Kharak Singh Mann was most respected and very popular
among all the residents. He was a great source of strength
and a great inspiration for us. He was a very religious
intellectual who was very much devoted to cause of Sikhism
and started some organisations to strengthen humanity
brotherhood. We have lost a great human being, religious
leader, philanthropist and scientist. Know Thy Neighbour
Association shall remember him always for his great deeds
and his services to mankind.
A K Kumar
President, Know Thy Neighbour Association
1005, Phase 4, Mohali
~~~
vk ;kfjp B/ nkgD/ ihtB ftZu pj[s T[AuhnK s/ ;[ZuhnK wZbK
wkohnK ;B . n?rhebuo fJz;g?eNo d/ nj[Zd/ s'I B"eoh
F[o{ eoe/, y/shpkVh Bkb i[Vh d[BhnK dh ;G s'I w[Zy ;z;Ek
c{v n?Iv n?rohebuo n"orBkfJ}/FB (:{ n?B U), o'w s'
fJeBkfwe n?vtkfJ}o d/ gd sZe gj[zuDk T[BQK dh ekpbhns
dk tZvk ;p{s j? . fJ; s'I fJtkbk, foNkfJow?IN fgZS'I T[BQK
B/ pj[s ;kohnK Xkofwe s/ ;wkfie ;z;EktK Bkb i[V e/ th
pj[s Bkw ewkfJnk .
vkeNo yVe f;zx B/ nkgDk ;kok ihtB fJe non-controversial
ftnesh d/ o{g ftZu efNZnk . T[j fJe gstzs/ wjKg[oF d/
Bkb-Bkb fJe dot/F ftnesh th ;B .
All Members
Agriculture Veterans Association
Chandigarh
~~~
My personal knowledge of him goes back when, in 1950,
he was Secretary, Gurdawara Singh Sabha, Model Town,
Ludhiana. As a youngster, I found him very polite,
low key person. He asked us, the youngsters, to come to
the gurdawara whenever we could after school and
do sewa. During the last 25 years or so, I
corresponded with him and would inform him of my achievements
as an Amritdhari Sikh, such as, elected and re-elected
Member, and later Chairman, Vernon (Conn) Board of Education.
He would always acknowledge these humble achievements
with very warm sentiments.
I do not have to reiterate his contribution to Sikhism.
He stands very tall amongst the Sikh scholars. Of course,
his family has lost a great patriarch; Sikhs have lost
a stalwart who was a great Sikh.
Amarjit Singh Buttar
Chairman, Vernon (Conn) Board of Education
naamsimran@aol.com
~~~
My
biggest regret in life is Why did I not have darshan
of this great saint-soldier of his time.
I personally am going to greatly miss his love and guidance,
which he always showered in abundance. He was a man of
great vision, knowledge and understanding. As a founder
member of the Institute of Sikh Studies, he has done a
great service for the Panth and the future generations.
Col Avtar Singh (retd), Toronto
singh.a@rogers.com
~~~
In 1966, when Haryana was carved out of Punjab, Dr Sahib
and myself were transferred to Haryana. Dr Sahib was appointed
as Deputy Director, HQ, Haryana.
The Haryanvi Jaats were very dominant and intolerant towards
Punjabis holding posts in the newly-formed Haryana. I
was M Sc and due for promotion and there were 2 Ph D Jaats,
who had the recommendation of the then Minister. But,
cutting it short ..., if the proper channel was followed,
they could not be hired. Dr Sahib refused the Minister's
orders in writing, many times, and stood by me firmly.
If Dr Sahib had not been there I could never be a class
1 officer. I can never forget his favour. I always remember
it and shall always do so.
gke E/ ][ddko E/, fJBe/ w[ekf;d Gh p[bzd .
fjzd ek n"o f;Zy'I ek ;o fJ; B/ eo fdnk p[bzd ..
Mr B D Bhai
Jt Director (retd), Plant Protection, Haryana
~~~
nkg r[od[nkok ebrhXo f;zx ;Gk c/i - 4 d/ ekch ;wK gqXkB
oj/ . fJj gqXkBrh gZd nkg B/ r[o{d[nko/ ;kfjp dh ;zrs
dh p/Bsh gqtkB eod/ j'fJ ;zGkbh ns/ nkg dh fBrokBh j/m
r[od[nkok ;kfjp tb'I ¿;{uBk gfsqekÀ wjhB/tko
gouk ikoh eokT[D ftZu nkg tb'I r[od[nkok ;kfjp d/ ezw-eki
ftZu ;[Xko ns/ transparancy fbnkT[D bJh fJe ;/X dk ezw
eo fojk j? .
r[od[nkok c/i - 4 ftZu gJ/ T[BQK dh nfszw nodk; ftZu Fkwb
j'J/ b'eK dk nfsnzs fJeZm ns/ d/; gqd/; dhnK T[xhnK ;]FhnsK
tb'I FoXKibh ti'I, T[BQK dk ;opgZyh ihtB ;zpzXh xNBktK
dk toBD fJe gftZso nkswk dk ihtB Mbekok ;h, fJe p/bkr
fJB;kB dh y{p;{os fJB;kBhns ;h ns/ fJe T[u/ ;[Zu/ f;Zy
dk ufoZso T[b/y nkg dh ;]Fhns okjhI ;h, fijVh ;]Fhns fJe
okj-d;kT{ ukBD-w[Bkok ;h ns/ oj/rh .
S Bachan Singh Mundra
President, Gurdwara, Phase 4, Mohali
~~~
vkeNo yVe f;zx Gkos d/ nfij/ wjkB ;gZ[so ;B fiBQK B/ nkgDh
fwjBs ns/ ekpbhns ;dek ;koh d[BhnK ftZu nkgD/ d/F dk BK
T[uk ehsk j? . T[BQK B/ y/shpkVh s/ nXkfos d/F dh noE
ftt;Ek B{z ;jh okj s/ s'oB ns/ wip{s pDkT[D bJh ftF/F
:'rdkB fdZsk . :{ n?B U ftZu y/shpkVh nkofEesk d/ wkfjo
ti'I th T[BQK wjZstg{oB ;/tk fBGkJh . go T[jBK dk ;G s'I
wjkB ns/ ;dk :kd oZyD :'r ekoi f;Zy Xow, f;Zy fJfsjk;
ns/ f;Zy ihtB iKu d/ y/so ftZu ehsk frnk y'i ekoi ns/
f;Zy Xkofwe cb;c/ s/ gquko ftZu fBGkJh rJh wjZstg{oB G{fwek
j? .
y/shpkVh ftfrnkBh ti'I T[j fJ; ekoi Bkb i[V/ oj/ j'D wro'I
T[j nkgD/ sB wB ns/ XB Bkb f;Zy y/so ftZu ekoro oj/ .
fJeZfbnK fJe ;z;Ek fizBK ezw eoBk vkeNo yVe f;zx ih dh
;]Fhns dk ewkb ;h .
Dean, Prof Dr Baljit Kaur,
Faculty of Language, GNDU, Amritsar
Asso Dean, GNDU Regional Campus, Jalandhar
~~~
T[j pj[w[Zyh gqfsGk d/ wkbe ;B . T[jBK B/ d/F-ftd/F dhnK
T[u ;z;EktK ftZu ekoi eoe/ pj[s BwkDk yZfNnk . nkgD/ ihtB
ekb ftZu T[BQK fizBh gzE dh ;/tk ehsh j? T[j ;kv/ ;kfonK
d/ ;kjwD/ j? . fJz;NhfuT{N nkc f;Zy ;NZvh} ns/ fJzNoB?FBb
f;Zy eBc?vo/FB B{z ;zrmB eoB ftZu nDEZe fwjBs ehsh s/
d't/ ;z;EKtK B{z uzrhnK w}p{s bhjK s/ s'fonk . f;Zy gzE
Bkb ;pzfXs w;fbnK pko/ T[BQK d/ ftuko pVQ/ ;gFN j'fJnk
eod/ ;B . T[BQK d/ ftuko nZi ns/ nkT[D tkb/
;w/I ftZu ;kv/ ;kfonK bJh pj[s bkj/tzd ;kps j'Dr/ . T[jBK
B/ fJBK ftfFnK s/ eJh ;?whBko eotkJ?, nekb ubkD/ s'I 15
e[ fdB gfjbK w?I s/ ;odko tfonkw f;zx T[BQK dk jkb g[SD
bJh nkJ/ ;K, T[d'I th T[BK B/ i' gq'i?eN S'j/ ;B, T[;
pko/ th uouk eod/ oj/ fe f;o/ uVQ rJ/, ns/ fijV/ ni/ nX{o/
ofjzd/ jB, ezw fet/I eoB/ jB .
T[BQK ed/ th T[uh p'b e/ iK X"I; Bkb nkgD/ ftuko
BjhI fdZs/, ;r'I pVh jh jbhwh go fdqVsk dh gfjo/dkoh ehsh
. T[j ;kv/ bJh ukBD w[Bkok ;B .
Dr Balwant Singh Dhillon
GNDU, Amritsar
~~~
vkeNo yVe f;zx j'oK dh ekoiFhbsk f;Zy edoK ehwsK B{z gquko
eoB ftZu jh BjhI, T[;B{z ngDkT[D ftZu th ;h . T[jBK f;Zy
Xow dh ofjDh-pfjDh B{z ngDkT[D bJh gq/fonk . T[j f;Zy
Xow B{z fgnko d/, ftuko d/, gquko d/ jh BjhI, ;r'I nwb
th eod/ ;B .
f;Zy edoK ehwsK bkr{ eoB bJh T[BQK nkgD/ iBw s'I b? e/
pkp/ pekb/, bkfJbg[o, fco ftd/FK ftZu ns/ ;/tk w[es j'D
s'I pknd th j'o tX/o/ fFZds ns/ sBd/jh Bkb fgSb/ thj ;kb
f;Zy e"w B{z ;wofgs ehs/ . T[jBK dh gzEe ;/tk ftZu
vkeNo yVe f;zx d/ gfotko ns/ ftF/F eoe/ T[BQK dh Xow gsBh
dk pj[s tZvk :'rdkB j? . vkeNo yVe f;zx ns/ T[BQK d/ xo
dk dotk}k ;h i' d/F-ftd/F s'I nkT[D tkb/ ftdtkBK s/ wfjwkBK
bJh jw/FK y[Zbk ofjzdk ;h . vkeNo ;kfjp B{z ;G s'I tZvh
;oXKibh fJj j'J/rh fe T[BQK dh ;'u s/ gfjok d/JhJ/ ns/
T[jBK d/ S'j/ ezwK B{z nrKj s'ohJ/ . nkgDhnK fbysK okjhI
T[j jw/FK ;kv/ Bkb ofjDr/ .
T[j nwo jB! nwo jB!! nwo jB!!!
Sardar Bhag Singh Ankhi
Chief Secretary, Chief Khalsa Diwan
~~~
I loved him; I respected him; he was a great person! It's
a misfortune that most of us have drifted away from Sikh
principles, but Dr Kharak Singh ji was one person who
followed these sincerely in life.
Gurmukhs never die; they go to their Divine Home.
Sardar Bhagwant Singh Dalawari
Tapovan, Amravati
~~~
The impact of Dr Kharak Singh ji's self-less, dedicated
service to the Panth was felt far and wide. I, from California,
am the living example of that. He was my inspiration.
Bir Ishwar Singh Grewal, California
Former 1st Exec Comm Member, WSO
President, Interfaith Charities International
~~~
vkeNo ;kfjp dhnK gzEe ;/tktK, yk; eoe/ gzE B{z dog/F ;wf;nktK
ns/ ysfonK dh fBFkB d/jh eoe/ nkgD/ ftdtkB fwsoK Bkb fwbe/
T[BQK d/ jb bJh sohe/ bZGD dhnK ;/tktK B{z :kd ehsk iKdk
oj/rk . T[BQK B/ gzE d/ ;ko/ p[ZXhihth, ;/tk w[es nkJh
J/ n?;, nkJh ;h gh, T[u nfXekoh, vkeNo, iZi, ftdtkBK s/
eko'pkohnK B{z fJe ;z;Ek okjhI fJeZmk eod/ j'J/ ;kfonK
d/ r[DK s/ :'rsk dk bkG T[mk e/ gzE bJh e[M m'; eoB dk
:sB ehsk .
Dr Charan Kamal Singh
Chief Secretary, Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, Ldh
~~~
Sikh nation lost a great scholar and a perfect dedicated
gentleman, hard to find such people in the world. He will
be remembered in the history in the years to come!
Dilawar S Dhatt , USA
dsdhatt30@yahoo.com
~~~
Dr Kharak Singh was a many-faceted personality
a colossus, indeed. There was always a constant stream
of visitors who wanted to be associated with him so that
some of his enormous energy may rub off onto them. He
had enormous patience and vision and was always encouraging
and building others. He would greet the most ordinary
visitor by getting up from his chair with a sincere smile
and due respect, and responded with love and goodwill
towards all.
Dr Kharak Singh routinely attended scores of meetings,
went to other stations for important panthic discussions
where he was invited inevitably for his valuable suggestions
and views, which carried weight in the highest quarters.
He never exhibited his importance but in his quietude
and balanced judgment, he was very impressive and effective.
Gajindar Singh
2983, Phase VII, Mohali
gajindarsingh@hotmail.com
~~~
vkeNo yVe f;zx ih pV/ jh fBZx/, fgnko ns/ gqfsGkFkbh ftdtkB
;B . :{ n?B U torh ftFt ;z;Ek ftZu ezw eoB ;edk T[BQK
dk B}ohnk, ;'u ns/ fuzsB nzso okFNoh gZXo sZe fte;s ;h
. T[j gzikp nzdo g/F u[B"shnK ns/ n"eVK B{z
fJe fJbkekJh B[esk fBrkj s'I BjhI pbfe ftFt gZXo d/ ftfrnkBe
B}o s'I d/yd/ ns/ BfiZmD bJh ;/X fdzd/ ;B . nfij/ ;]F
d/F ns/ e"w dk ;owkfJnk j[zd/ jB . n?; ih gh ;h d/
Xow gquko B{z ftfrnkBe ns/ T[;ko{ ;/X d/D tkb/ w?Ipo ;B
ns/ fJe T[;ko{ ;/X tZb b? ikD dk f;jok th T[BQK B{z jh
iKdk j? .
T[jBK d[nkok fJz;NhfuT{N nkc f;Zy ;NZvh} ;Ekfgs eoBk,
Bkb T[;B{z ubkT[D bJh nkg d;tzX gkT[Dk, nkgD/ ;ko/ ;zpzXK
ns/ ;q'sK B{z fJ; ;z;Ek B{z ubkT[D ns/ gqc[fbs eoB ftZu
Bkb bkT[Dk, T[BQK dh fBo-;tkoE gzEe ;/tk dh ;'u ;h . Gkt/I
T[BQK dk ftFk y/shpkVh ns/ nkofEesk ;h go nkgDh fizdrh
dk fJe tZvk fjZ;k T[BK ftFt ftnkgh ;z;EktK ftZu eowFhb
j[zfdnK fpskfJnk, go gzikp gos e/ e[M jh tfoQnK ftZu T[BK
fJ; soQK nkgD/ y'i ekoiK ns/ gzfEe ;/tKtK B{z c?bkfJnk
fe gzikp d/ ftdtkB, oki;h B/sk ns/ eow :'rhnK B/ T[BK
B{z pj[s wkD pyfFnk . T[j ;kfonK d/ ;KM/ ;B ns/ T[BQK
dh ;jh ;/X, T[;ko{ ;'u ns/ ngDs ;dek ;ko/ T[jBK d/ Bkb
uZbD s/ wkD wfj;{; eod/ ;B .
Sardar Gurbachan Singh Bachan
Ex-General Secretary, SGPC, Amritsar
~~~
Dr Sahib would always receive courteously with a smile
and handshake, and make one feel at ease, offering a cup
of tea. Leaving aside work in hand, he would answer your
questions or, if discussions on some topic were already
on, ask you to join. His knowledge on Sikhism and Sikh
history was very wide and, any time, keen interest in
and dedication to Panthic affairs could be felt immediately.
His contribution to literature on subjects concerning
the future of Sikh quam, and on Sikhism is of encyclopedic
proportions.
Around 2002, he was requested unanimously to take charge
as President, Gurdwara Ph 4, Mohali. He introduced transparency
in activities and accounts a model that should
be followed by all gurdwaras.
It is very sad, indeed, that he is no longer with us.
Sardar Gurcharan Singh Sethi
Member, IOSS
~~~
In passing away of Dr Kharak Singh Mann, Punjab has lost
a fine agricultural scientist, a revered Sikh scholar
and historian. As an undergraduate student at the Government
Agricultural College, Ludhiana, during 1950s I had the
privilege of attending a class taught by Professor Mann.
His eloquent lectures inspired and motivated me and many
other students to go for higher studies. Several of those
students became outstanding leaders in agricultural research
and education, and played a key role in Green Revolution.
There was no statistician on the college faculty at that
time. Professor Mann was a self-taught statistician and
many M Sc students sought his guidance in analyzing their
research data. He was most generous in helping whoever
sought his help.
When the Government Agricultural College was converted
into Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Professor Mann
was selected to go for higher studies at the Ohio State
University in USA. He obtained Ph D degree in agricultural
economics in record short time. Upon return to PAU, Dr
Mann played a key role in establishing the extension wing
of the University and established linkages with rural
Punjab. My wife Harwant who grew up in Baddowal village
tells me that whenever Dr Mann visited, village children
used to run to greet uncle Mann.
Dr Kharak Singh Mann is no longer with us but his legacy
for spearheading the establishment of the Institute of
Sikh Studies and International Sikh Confederation will
live on forever.
Dr Gurdev S Khush, FRS
Adjunct Professor, University of California, Davis, USA
~~~
Dr Kharak Singh was a father figure for me. Whenever I
got the chance to see him his elderly and affectionate
hand would automatically touch my head in the manner of
old village tradition of Punjab and I always cherished
it.
Now after his departure, I feel that one more elderly
hand has been snatched from us.
Dr Gurnam Kaur
Prof, Pbi Univ, Patiala
~~~
His house was undoubtedly a second house not only for
me alone but also for all Alumni from Pakistan. In the
death of Dr Sahib I have lost a personal friend, whose
love and affection would be remembered for all times to
come by all Pakistani friends.
Dr Hafiz Abdul Qayyum, Pakistan
<aqhafiz@yahoo.com>
~~~
Dr Kharak Singh ji enjoyed extremely good health, courtesy
his balanced diet and regular physical fitness regime.
All the medical examinations would reveal that, even at
the age of 86, his heart was like that of a young man s.
He had no fear of any disease; he took pride in this.
When about three years back, his prostate cancer was detected,
he said, I have mentally prepared myself to leave
this world. No regrets. And he went ahead with
his Panthic sewa with ever more vigour, as if in a bid
to utilize every second of the countdown that had begun!
But for the cancer, which was beyond him, he would have
easily lived a healthy man for at least another 15 years!
His warmth and love made me feel as if I am his iklauta
bacha (the only child).
Dr Hardyal Singh Padda
Family Doctor
~~~
My relationship with Dr Kharak Singh ji was that of guru-chela.
My debt to Dr Kharak Singh Ji is all that I know in my
heart. It is too personal and intimate to put into words.
He did save me in my difficult times. Not once but twice.
I did once refer to this matter. But, like a true Sikh,
he never wanted that I should refer to that issue. His
left hand did not know what the right hand was doing.
He was a silent man, shying away from publicity.
Whenever I was misunderstood by Sikhs and/or Bengalis,
and was emotionally upset, he provided the sympathetic
healing touch. He was like a banyan tree.
I always visualize him sitting amongst thousands of books,
working silently in the Singh Sabha tradition.
He is the last of the Singh Sabhaites. What a void he
has created!
He was a saint-soldier, the one-man army, sawa lakh of
Guru s fauj.
Himadri Banerjee, Bengal
<hbanerje@cal3.vsnl.net.in>
vkeNo yVe f;zx, nkX[fBe :[Zr ftZu, f;Zy e"w dh n}hw
;]Fhns j' r[io/ jB . T[BQK B/ nkgD/ ihtB dh T[;koh, efmB
fwjBs, f;oV d/ f;de Bkb ehsh .
nkg ih dh ;yFhns r[owfs d/ ;Ku/ ftZu Ybh j'Jh ;h . nkg
jw/FK jh fJe rshFhb, ;zxoF;hb s/ ikro{e ftnesh d/ o{g
ftZu ftuo/ . r[owfs dh fJj f;oiBksfwe ftukoXkok vkeNo
yVe f;zx d/ ihtB dh nrtkJh eodh ojh . T[j jw/FK jh gzikp
dhnK ;wZf;nktK gqsh ;[u/s oj/ .
vkeNo yVe f;zzx ih dk ftFtk; ;h fe e"w d/ nkr{nK
B{z ftt/e p[ZX s'I ezw b?Dk ukjhdk j? . }o{oh BjhI j?
fe jo ekoi bJh w'ou/ bkJ/ ikD s/ e"w dh Fesh B{z
}kfJnk ehsk ikt/ .
T[BQK dh ;yFhns wB[Zyh gqfsGk dhnK n;hw ;zGktBktK ns/
wkBf;e s/ p"fXe ftek; dh f;]o dk gqshe ;h . T[j T[uh
;[os, brB tkbh nzfwqsXkoh ;yFhns d/ wkbe ;B . T[BQK dh
;]Fhns ftZu ftt/e, uVQdh ebk tkbh rshFhb ;'u, gqekFwJh
ihtB i[rs, fBwosk, ;po, f;de, soeFhb gqfeosh s/ r[o{ dh
fbt, nkfd, sZs Fkwb ;B . T[BQK B/ gftZso ftneshnK d/ ;kE
ftZu r[owfs d/ fBoG?sk d/ nkr{ dh sbkF ehsh s/ fBoG? gowkswk
d/ nB[Gt dk nBzd wkfDnk ns/ r[o{ rqzE ;kfjp ih dh ftukoXkok
s/ nwb eoe/ nkgDh ihtB :ksok ;cab ehsh . j/m fbfynk r[opkDh
dk c[owkB T[BQK d/ ihtB s/ Y[Zedk j? L
;dk ;dk nBzd[, G/fNU fBoG? r'fpzd, ;[y BkBe bkX/ jfo uoB
goksk ..
;cb ;cb GJh ;cb iksqk nktD ikD oj/, fwb/ ;kXk .. (gzBk
687)
Dr Inderjeet Singh Vasu
Principal (retd), Phagwara
~~~
vkeNo yVe f;zx, i' fe f;Zy ftdtkBK ftZu'I fJe gqw[Zy j;sh
;B, B{z f;Zyh dh r[Vsh fto;/ ftZu fwbh . foNkfJo j' e/
fto;/ ftZu'I fwb/ ;z;ekoK B/ ns/ f;Zy Xow ftZu nkfJnK
e[ohshnK B/ nkg B{z f;Zyh bJh ezw eoB bJh gq/fonk . fJz;NhfuT{N
nkc f;Zy ;NZvh} d/ T[dxkNB ;w/I T[BQK w?B{z th :kd ehsk
. T[sFkj fJzBk ;h fe fJ; dh fJwkos th ni/ nZXtkN/ ;h .
w?I Gkt/I f;Zy ftdtkBK ftZu'I BjhI go fco th fgzrbtkV/
d/ ;/tkdko j'D d/ Bks/ T[j w?B{z wkD pyFd/ oj/ . b'eK
B{z f;Zyh dh ;jh ftnkfynk dZ;D bJh T[BQK B/ fJe ioBb F[o{
ehsk ns/ d' feskpK fbyhnK fiBK d/ BkwK s'I T[BQK dk wzst
;wM nkT[Idk j?L
Fundamental Issues in Studies and Recent Researches in
Sikhism
f;Zy ftdtkBK dk co} j? fe vkeNo yVe f;zx d/ okj s/ s[oe/
nkw b'eK B{z f;Zyh d/ w[Yb/ n;{bK s'I ikD{ eotkfJnk ikt/
.
Dr Inderjit Kaur
President, Pingalwara, Amritsar
~~~
eEBh ns/ eoBh dk ;{ok ;B vkeNo yVe f;zx . vkeNo ;kfjp
B{z d/F ns/ b'eK d/ fjZsK bJh ;zxoF eoB dh o[uh fto;/
ftZu'I jh fwb rJh ;h . fco fjzwsh B"itkB B/ nkgD/
fwE/ NhfunK B{z sB, wB ns/ XB Bkb g{ok eofdnK nkgDk ihtB
bk fdZsk . fJjBK dh Bt/ebh rb fJj ;h fe fJj fi; y/so Bkb
o{j-p-o{j j'J/ ;B T[; Bkb g{oh soQK gqshpZX j'J/ . nkgDh
Xosh B{z y/shpkVh ftZu BthnK seBheK s/ Bt/I wkvbK Bkb
;o;ko ehsk. Bkb Bkb f;Zy ;zebg d/ ft;Eko tZb th o[uh tXk
bJh . fJ; y/so ftZu th v{zxh y'i dk ezw nozfGnk . w[jkbh
fty/ T[jBK Bfws nk:'fis FoXKibh ;wko'j ftZu ;pzfXs nbZr
nbZr ;z;EktK, ftdtkBK ns/ T[BQK d/ ftfdnkoEhnK, fwsoK
ns/ ;B/jhnK B/ T[BK dh ;zs[bs, ;Zuh-;Z[uh frnkBtkB ns/
rshFhb ;'u B{z ;bkj[fdnK j'fJnK i' FoXk d/ c[b G/N ehs/
;kvk T[jBK gqsh f;o M[e iKdk j? . vkeNo yVe f;zx torhnK
pj[gZyh gqfsGk tkbhnk ;]FhnsK ftobhnK jh j[zdhnK jB .
Dr Iqbal Kaur & Prof Narotam Singh
Ex-Chairperson, Bhagat Nam Dev Chair, GNDU
& Sarhali College, resp.
~~~
s//o/ s[o ikD s'I pknd, w?I :shw, p/;jkok j' frnk ,,,
fJj e';/ nZEo{ nZyhnK d/, nZi :kd s/oh ftZu feod/ B/ .
bZy e'fFF ehsh o'eD dh, fJj pkrh j'J/ fcod/ B/ .
Iqbal Singh, A sponsored Student
MA Part II, PU, Chandigarh,
~~~
With Dr Sahib s departure, the Sikh Jagat has lost
our most eminent scholar, who was adored, respected and
held in the highest esteem by all those who came into
his contact through his writings, speeches or personal
contact. Dr Sahib established many National and International
organisations through which he propagated the eternal
message of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, viz., the unity of mankind.
God Almighty had blessed Dr Sahib with Rare Wisdom and
Practical Insight into life s most complex problems.
With these gifts, he succeeded in uniting even those persons
and organisations that held divergent views on extremely
important issues to agree with each other in the overall
interest of the Sikh Panth. Dr Sahib s name and
fame shall ever remain shinning in the world for all times
to come.
Maj Gen Iqbal Singh Sethi (retd)
President, Guru Nanak Mission, Noida
Chairman, Gurmat Prachar Trust, New Delhi
~~~
I am Tiger according to Dr Kharak Singh
ji, my grandfather, who loved me a lot as I am the youngest
of all his grandchildren.
I think he was the greatest person with supernatural characteristics.
Any person famous or any big personality would seem to
lose his/her characteristics when in his presence.
He faced all kinds of challenges in life with calm nature
but with great actions. I pray to God to make his Tiger
like him.
I respect him, learnt from him, and most of all, I loved
him and will always love him. MY PAPAJI GREATEST !
Jaikar Singh, Grandson
~~~
A long time ago... probably in the 1970 s or thereabouts,
I met Dr Kharak Singh ji Mann in Italy in a wayward restaurant.
When Dr Sahib found out that I was a young giani from
Malaysia with Sikhi parchaar through example sikh
rehnni behnni, Kharak Singh ji launched into a passionate
vision of what Sikhi and Sikhs needed to
do to advance forwards instead of ever stepping
backwards . I came away very impressed that
an Agriculturist attached to the FAO could
also be so very much attached to a subject
far removed from his field of expertise. Dr Sahib ji displayed
a true sense of sikh rehnni behnni Sikhi by example,
and it was a valuable lesson
I never really forgot.
Fast Forward & to 2001... nearly four decades after
our first meeting.... I was surprised one night to receive
a call from a Dr Kharak Singh from Chandigarh
... somehow he had managed to get hold of my details ...
Soon I was receiving a long and passionate vision
that Dr Sahib ji was putting forward to me the
much-needed Apex Body (now International Sikh Confederation).
This is the Legacy of Dr Kharak Singh ji (and his
esteemed colleagues in the IOSS) to the Future Generations
of Sikhs. He truly was a Visionary with a Mission
Chardikala of the Guru Khalsa Panth and the Guru
Granth.
Jarnail Singh Gyani Arshi
Malaysia
~~~
He worked very hard to present the correct perspective
of Sikhism on a world Level. He was an institution in
himself and would be remembered for his outstanding services
in Sikh studies.
Jasbir Singh Mann, California
<JasbirMann@aol.com>
~~~
Dr Kharak Singh ji was an eminent personality among Sikhs.
He started his professional career as an Agricultural
Scientist and rose to the position of Advisor to FAO of
the United Nations. After, retirement, he started his
life as a Sikh intellectual and with hard work, dedication
and blessing of Guru Ram Dass ji became the best scholar
of Sikhism.
In his death, the Sikh Panth has lost a great visionary
who taught the Sikh masses about the basic concepts/tenets
of Sikhism. His writings, composed in books and journals,
will guide the Sikh Panth in the years to come.
Jasjit Singh Samundri, IFS
Conservator Forest, Punjab
~~~
Sometimes an incident or influence of an eminent personality
changes one s life. It happened with me too. When
I went for my Interview in Institute of Sikh Studies,
I had no idea that I was going in the shelter of a highly
qualified and noble-hearted boss. During the interview,
I told the Interviewer that I belong to a rural area and
my command over English is not very good. His response
made a deep impression on my mind: No body knows
everything by birth, everybody learns while working somewhere.
Such a nice person! was the first thought
in my mind about Dr Kharak Singh ji.
I have now being working with Dr Kharak Singh ji for the
last 10 years. During this period, as expected, I did
makes mistakes. But he never shouted at me; rather, like
a father teaches his son, he would softly correct me and
also explain the meaning.
While working with Dr Kharak Singh ji, I never felt that
I am working in an office; it was like a second home to
me. On the news of his demise, I could not control my
tears. An Ideal Boss, he will remain in my heart forever.
Jaswant, IOSS
~~~
A visionary with a golden heart;
Helpful attitude with utmost sincerity;
A man with diverse qualities;
Having strong convictions, yet very flexible and soft
in argument;
High level of tolerance and acknowledgement of others
views;
Achieved highest standards of academics, excelled in career;
Simple and dignified life style;
Extreme fitness and regular exercise regime;
Enjoyed extremely honest reputation;
No ego, lots of humbleness;
He lived wholesome life, excelled in every sphere of life,
yet he chose to dedicate his retirement for the charhdi
kala of the Panth. Devoted all his time and resources
for this purpose yet never wanted anything in
return. A truly selfless person, a rare individual. He
was so occupied and busy all the time, he virtually had
no time to die.
People will come and go but we will never find
a man like Dr Kharak Singh, whom we called Papaji.
Jatinder Singh, Son-in-Law
~~~
vkeNo yVe f;zx wkB, fiBQK B{z nzsookFNoh gZXo s/ ps"o
y/shpkVh ftfrnkBh gqf;Xh jk;b j?, pV/ fwZm p'bV/, fwjBsh
ns/ fJwkBdko ftnesh ;B, fiBQK B/ d/F nzdo joh eqKsh fbnkT[D
ftZu tZvw[bk :'rdkB gkfJnk, i' y/shpkVh y/so ftZu ;[Bfjoh
nZyoK Bkb fbfynk j'fJnk j? .
T[BQK Bk e/tb w/o/ jh ;[fjod fwZso ns/ ;bkjeko ;B ;r'I
jo fJe d/ jh ;B . T[j fJe fizw/tko fgsk ns/ ewkb d/ gsh
;B . T[BQK dh wfjwkB fBtk}h dk i[nkp BjhI ;h, T[j nwho
ns/ rohp ftZu osk th coe BjhI ;B ;wMd/ . T[BQK d/ ub/
ikD Bkb i' xkNk ns/ ybkn g?dk j'fJnk j?, T[j ed/ th g{fonk
BjhI ik ;edk .
Sardar Jugraj Singh Gill
Ex-MLA, Ex-Chairman, Punjab Mandi Board
~~~
I met Dr Kharak Singh ji a few times and found him to
be a really devoted Sikh. I have known Dr Kharak Singh
as the best-informed contemporary on Sikhism, and have
great respect and admiration for his scholarship. It is
a grievous loss, his passing away.
K S Duggal, MP
<duggal@nic.in>
~~~
r[opkDh ns/ f;Zy fJfsjk; Bkb r{VhnK ns/ fgnko GohnK ;KMK
Bkb i[V/ vkeNo yVe f;zx ih dk ftS'Vk T[BQK ;GBK B{z T[dk;
eodk j? i' f;Zy gzE ftZu ftukoXkfoe bfjo g?dk eoB dh w[fjzw
ftZu fdB oks bZr/ ofjzd/ jB . vkeNo ;kfjp dh ;]Fhns ftZu
d{onzd/Fh, f;defdbh, Xhoi, moQzw/ ns/ ;fji d/ r[DK dk
J/Bk fgnkok ;zrw ;h fe fJz;NhfuT{N nkc f;Zy ;NZvh} ;z;ko
Go d/ dkfBFto ns/ ;zihdk f;ZyK bJh T[uh gZXo dk nekdfwe
wzu pD rJh ;h . fJ; ;z;Ek B{z ftFkb ns/ jowB fgnkok pDkT[D
ftZu T[BQK d/ nDEZe ns/ fdqV :sB n;hI ed/ th BjhI G[Zb
;ed/ .
fJj ;[gBk th T[BQK dk jh ;h fe ;z;ko d/ tZy tZy w[beK
ftZu t;/ f;ZyK d/ gqshfBXK ns/ dkfBFtoK dk fJe nfijk wzu
;Ekfgs j'J/ fiE/ toswkB ;z;ko ftZu f;ZyK B{z dog/F w;fbnK
pko/ y[Zb e/ ftukoK j'D ns/ T[BQK w;fbnK d/ :'r jZb bJh
nwbh edw g[ZN/ ikD . fJzi fJzNoB?FBb f;Zy eBc?vo/FB torh
wjkB ;z;Ek B/ iBw fbnk fi; B{z ti{d ftZu fbnkT[D bJh T[BQK
dh gfjbedwh ns/ fJ; n"y/ s/ r[zMbdko ezw B{z B/go/
ukVQB ftZu T[BQK dh eoVh xkbDk B{z ;dk :kd oZfynk ikJ/rk
. id'I ed/ th ;z;EktK dh ekw:kph T[BQK dhnK gqkgshnK ns/
T[BQK B{z ikrfdnK s/ fiT[IfdnK oZyD d/ :sB dk fBogZy fJfsjk;
fbfynk ikJ/rk sK f;Zy gzE d/ fJ; ;d-ikrs fJB;kB dh :kd
nkT[D tkbhnK ghVQhnK d/ fdbK ftZu ihtB d/ nrb/ okjK bJh
gq/oBk ;o's pDh oj/rh .
Sardar Karamjit Singh
Convenor, Punjabi Editors Forum
Ex-Assistant Editor, Punjabi Tribune
~~~
vkeNo ;kfjp efjzd/ j[zd/ ;B fe nzd'bBK dh EK i/ b'e okJ/
okjhI ;oeko T[s/ dpkn tXkfJnk ikt/ sK nZieZbQ d/ whvhnk
d/ }wkB/ ftZu ;oekoK nzsookFNoh pdBkwh s'I vo e/
p/fJB;kch s'I goj/} eoB bJh th w}p{o ehshnK ik ;edhnK
jB . vkeNo ;kfjp jo fJe f;Zy B"itkB B{z f;Zy ;o{g,
ofjs ftZu t/yDk ukj[zd/ ;B . jo f;Zy bJh o[}rko, feos,
f;js ns/ ftfdnk T[BQK dk T[d/F ;h .
f;Zy fJfsjk; ftZu gfjbh tko f;Zy p[ZXhihth tor B{z vkeNo
;kfjp B/ f;Zy ;o'ekoK gqsh ;[u/s eoe/, f;Zy e"w d/
r"ot dh pjkbh ns/ T[Zib/ GftZy pko/ ;'u ns/ nkjo
Bkb Ii'fVnk. T[BQK d/ ;ohfoe ftS'V/ d/ pkti{d fJj s;Zbh
j? fe T[; T[gekoh g[oy B/ gzE d/ d[Zy ;[Zy, yso/, ;o'eko
ns/ coiK dh fBFkBd/jh eoe/ T[BQK torh ;'u oZyD tkfbnK
B{z iE/pzd eoe/ fJ; gk;/ ekoiFhb ehsk .
f;Zy fJfsjk; ftZu gfjbh tko j'fJnk j? fe ;kpek vh ;h,
th ;h, ioB?b, eoB?b, vkeNo, gq'c?;o, b/ye, ebkeko, ftfrnkBe,
iZi ns/ ftdtkBK B/ f;Zy GkJhuko/ gqsh fuzsB j' e/, nkgD/
nDikD, G'b/ ns/ ghVs f;Zy GoktK dh ;ko bJh j't/l e"w
d/ jB/o/ GftZy dh fuzsk eoe/, ;kofEe ftXh-ftXkB T[bhfenk
j't/ . fJj T[geko j? vkeNo yVe f;'zx ih dk ns/ T[j th
T[gekoh ;ZiD jB, fijV/ fJBQK ekoiK bJh yVe f;zx ih dhnK
pkjtK pD/ .
Sardar Karamjit Singh Aujla
Editor, Sewa Lehar, Ludhiana
~~~
;kps ;{os nkg dh f;Zy dhdkoh ;]Fhns, d;sko dh w;seh B'e
s'I b? e/ goekF dkjV/ d/ jo tkb s/ fpyoh w[;ekB nkT[D
tkb/ dk ;[nkrs eodh . jo fwbDh dh nkyoh eVh ti'I vkeNo
;kfjp pr?o fe;/ tZv/ S'N/ dh frDsh ehfsnK nkgD/ xo d/
pkjoh r/N sZe ftdkn eoB nkT[Id/ . nkgD/ fSnk;hnK ftZu
th sho f;Xh fdZy, bzw/ eZd, goekF dkjV/ Bkb ;[jD/ f;Zy
p}[or tkbh dhdkoh B[jko nyho sZe T[BQK Bkb ojh .
T[BQK d/ p'bK ftZu'I w?B{z T[BQK dh fJe tZvh f;Ze, jkofde
ohM, fe;/ wz}b s/ g[iD dk ;ze/s fdzdh s/ T[j wz}b fe;/
¿gzEe ;z;Ek dk w{oshwkB j'Dk i' r[o{ rqzE - r[o{
gqzE d/ nkdoF B{z gq?eNheb o{g ftZu ;keko eo/ .À
fJzNoB?FB f;Zy eBc?vo/FB dk o{gwkB j' ikDk T[BQK B{z pVh
s;Zbh dk ;o's ;h . ed/ M'ok eofdnK w?I efj p?mdk, ¿vkeNo
;kfjp fJz;NhfuT{N ns/ fJzNoB?FBb f;Zy eBc/vo/FB ftZu nkg
torh fwBjs eoB tkb/ ekch j'o pzd/ ukjhd/ jB go ekch ;wK
ezw eofdnK th T[j tor BjhI nr/ nkfJnk .À
seohpB fwbdk i[bdk f;de ;zs'y tkbk fJe' T[so T[BQK dh
}pkB s/ nkT[Idk . ÀfJj ezw ebrhnK tkb/ dk nkgDk
j? . T[j eok fojk j? s/ T[;/ B/ g{ok eoBk j? .À
fJ; T[so ftZu w?B{z Fpd ebrhnK tkbk T[BQK d/ w[j'I pj[s
jh cpdk gqshs j[zdk fit/I fe ebrhnK tkb/ B/ T[BQK B{z
fe;/ fJbkjh ow} Bkb ftFtk; fdtk fdZsk j't/ fe fJj ezw
j' e/ oj/rk .
Sardar Kartar Singh Goshti
Institute of Sikh Studies, Chandigarh
~~~
T[jBK dk ;kok ihtB ;qh r[o{ rqzE ;kfjp ih dh f;Zfynk B{z
gqukoB ns/ gq;koD bJh :sBFhb ;h . T[BQK tb'I f;Zy gzE
Bkb ;pzXs eotkJ/ rJ/ ;?whBko :kdrkoh ;kps j'J/ . f;Zy
gzE tb'I bkr{ ehs/ rJ/ BkBeFkjh e?bzvo T[BQK dk ftF/F
:'rdkB ;h.
Principal Khushal Singh
Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Chandigarh
~~~
;kB{z vkeNo yVe f;zx ih d/ rtKvh j'D dk ;[Gkr gqkgs j'fJnk
. go T[BQK ;kB{z jw/FK jh fgsk tkbk fgnko fdZsk ns/ nyho
sZe fgsk tkbk co} fBGkfJnk . w/o/ gsh ;odko w'jD f;zx
ih ekch ;kb ftd/F oj/ . T[BK dh r?ojk}oh ftZu T[BQK w/ok
nkgDh Xh dh dh soQK jo d[Zy ;[Zy ftZu fynkb oZfynk . fJj
foFsk fJzBk r{Vk j' frnk wkB' fJe jh gfotko j't/ . n;hI
T[BQK B{z phih, gkgk ih efj e/ p[bkT[Id/ . phih wktK s'I
th tZX fgnko eod/ T[jBk w?B{z fJzBk wkD s/ fgnko fdZsk
efjzd/ fJj w/oh ;ZG s'I tZvh p/Nh j? . eJh tko w/ohnK
nZyK ftZu fgnko, y[Fh ns/ XzBtkd d/ nZEo{ nk iKd/ fe T[BQK
w?B{z fBwkDh ijh B{z fJ; foFs/ d/ ekfpb ;wfMnk .
gkgk ih dh f;Zy Xow, ns/ ;wki B{z i' d/D j? T[j w?I fpnkB
BjhI eo ;edh feT[Ife T[j T[u e'Nh d/ ftdtkB ;B . ftdtkB
dhnK gqkgshnK ftdtkB jh fpnkB eo ;ed/ jB. w? i' thj ;kb
ftZu t/fynk T[BQK fJe fJe gb ;/tk ftZu bkfJnk . n;hI T[jBK
B{z ;t/o s'I Fkw sZe dcso ftZu ezw eofdnK t/yd/ . n;hI
j?okB j[zd/ fJ; T[wo ftZu T[j fJzBk ezw fet/I eod/ jB
. edh T[BQK d/ fujo/ s/ Ee/tK iK ne/tK BjhI ;h t/fynk,
jw/FK uVQdh ebk ftZu ofjzd/ . ;z;Ek d/ w'Yh T[j ;B . ;kok
ezw T[BK dh d/y-o/y j/m j[zdk . fJ; f;bf;b/ ftZu T[BQK
e'b jo soQK d/ b'eK dk nkT[Dk-ikDk bZrk ofjzdk . fJzBk
ezw eoB d/ pkti{d T[j ;G B{z fJzBh uVQdh ebk ns/ fgnko
Bkb fwbd/ ;G d/ wB s/ nkgDh nfwZN Skg SZv fdzd/ . T[jBK
dh ;]Fhns dk fJe pj[s tZvk r[D ;h fe xo nkJ/ jo ftnesh
B{z Gkt/I ftdtkB j? iK nBgV j?, nwho j? iK rohp j? pokpo
;fseko ns/ fgnko
fdzd/ . ;G bJh fJe B}o oZyD tkbh fJj e'Jh wjkB nkswk ;h
. ;ohoe s"o s/ Gkt/I T[j ;kB{z ftS'Vk d/ rJ/ jB go
wjkB nkswk jw/FK nwo ofjzdh j? .
Kuldip Kaur Mann
Immediate Neighbor
~~~
f;Zy cab;c/a, f;Zy Xow, f;Zy fJfsjk; ns/ f;Zy f;XKsK d/
gfjo/dko, fJe wjkB fuzse, n}hw j;sh ns/ gfogZe b/ye,fiBQK
dh o{j/ otK fBo;zd/j vkeNo yVe f;zx jh jB . nkg ih nkgD/
nzfsw ;tk;K sZe f;Zyh f;de ns/ ns/ r[ow[y ;]Fhns dk fJe
p/fw;kb ;szG pD e/ fBso/ . nfijhnK oFe:'r j;shnK dk ;dhth
ftS'Vk tkeJh p/jZd d[ZydkJh j'fJnk eodk j? . T[BQK dh
p/i'V xkbDk ns/ gzE gq;sh B{z fustfdnK fpqr/v dh ekoiekoBh
T[BQK B{z jkofde FoXk-;[wB G/IN eodh j? .
Kulwant Kaur
Mai Bhago Brigade (regd),Patiala
~~~
Dr Kharak Singh, a Saintly Visionary, was one of the brightest
brains and divine soul I have met in my life. A devout
Sikh and a secular person, he had no ego problem in sharing
his views with people even having opposite stand. His
erudite discussions and healthy debates carried to logical
end earned him credit, name and fame. An agricultural
Scientist by training and profession, he had a strong
aptitude for humanities and dedicated himself to Sikh
studies. A man of wisdom, his child-like innocence and
ever-smiling face generated the integrity of his personality.
Emerging from the grass-root level of rural Punjab, he
had a vision to comprehend future problems of the life
situation for the Sikhs as a minority in India and the
challenges they have to face for survival. He has a realistic
approach to strive for Sikh solidarity at the global level.
His contribution in the establishment of the Institute
of Sikh Studies, Chandigarh, Abstracts of Sikh Studies
(journal) and International Sikh Confederation are noteworthy
examples of his hard work to transfer ideas into reality.
Besides an eminent agricultural scientist and scholar
of Sikhism, he was a humanist and philanthropist. He was
a kind hearted soul. He helped young and old without reservation
in need of sustenance, advice and counseling.
Prof Madanjit Kaur (retd)
Chairperson, Guru Gobind Singh Chair,
Guru Nanak Studies, GNDU, Amritsar
~~~
Dr Kharak Singh Mann was a great visionary with a perfect
balance of intellect, religious ideology & modern
perception. If he had not been in the Dharam Prachar Committee,
the script of my first film Khalsa depicting
the history of Khalsa would not have been realized. It
is a great loss to our entire Sikh community & a great
setback to many historical projects, which would have
required Dr Mann's exemplary vision & balanced approach
to preserve & project our unique heritage, through
the befitting electronic means of our times. It is extremely
ironical & sad that today, when we require numerous
awakened souls like Dr Kharak Singh in today's confusing
religious environment, infested with fundamentalism, we
lost him.
Mangal Singh Dhillon
Actor & Film Maker
~~~
Dr Kharak Singh ji has been the foremost representative
face of modern Sikh scholarship. The Institute of Sikh
Studies that he established at Chandigarh attracted almost
all the scholars interested in Sikh Studies. The nefarious
attempts and misleading notions of certain Western Scholars,
who could also influence and embrace certain Sikh scholars,
were rebutted emphatically and logically by Dr Kharak
Singh and his associates. He also single-handedly edited
and brought out the Abstracts of Sikh Studies
a very scholarly journal.
Ordinarily, we see that the Sikh intellectuals are devoid
of devotion; they only work in accordance with their intellect.
But Religion is one sphere where no real study can be
done without devotion. Dr Kharak Singh was blessed with
both devotion as well as intellect. He was a devoted
devout Sikh and I have the privilege of working with him
as Secretary, SGPC, Dharam Prachar Committee, of which
he was a distinct member.
A project was also given to him by Sardar Gurcharan Singh
ji Tohra and myself to write the Sikh History (in 5 volumes)
from the Sikh perspective, which he undertook very sincerely.
Two volumes are ready, and now he was simultaneously working
on the third as well as the fourth volumes.
He also thought of Sikh diaspora and wished to co-ordinate
Panthic and religious activities of Sikhs all over the
world, so that modern-day challenges could be met more
effectively. For this, he constituted the International
Sikh Confederation, of which I am privileged to be a member
of the interim Executive Committee.
His loss is not only to his family, but also to Sikh scholarship
as well as the entire Sikh Panth.
Manjit Singh Calcutta
Ex-Minister for Education & Language, Pb Govt
Ex-General Secretary, SGPC, Amritsar
~~~
I was saddened to learn of Dr Kharak Singh s passing
on but felt privileged that I had first met him and obtained
his counsel many years ago when I had launched a campaign
for Sikh women s right to seva. More recently, I
met Dr Kharak Singh earlier this year when he showed youthful
enthusiasm, hope and aspiration for the Confederation
of Sikh Organizations, and urged the United Sikhs to play
an active role.
Birendra, you are very fortunate to have a khazana as
a dad.
Mejindarpal Kaur
Director, United Sikhs
<act@unitedsikhs.org>
~~~
Dr Kharak Singh ji was a wonderful friend, and social
and religious guide. He loved and respected everyone,
and commanded the same in reciprocal. His social behavior
was very affectionate and impressive to such an extent
that one could never say No' to his suggestions.
It is very hard to describe his traits and humane qualities
in words.
He was a great visionary, and much advanced in his views
on religious matters. He was very much interested to create
a social fund so that no Sikh should remain without suitable
education or face poverty.
Due to his sincere efforts, he was able to bring together
so many wonderful personalities to work together in the
organizations, Institute of Sikh Studies and International
Sikh Confederation. This is a great milestone, and Dr
Kharak Singh ji will be remembered forever on this achievement.
Dr Milkha Singh Brar
B V Sc, M V Sc, Australia
~~~
I am no writer. All I can say is that I feel like an orphan
at Dr Sahib s demise. During his recent illness,
when he started to recover for a short period, he started
to sit out in the lawn in the evenings as he use to do
before his illness. On seeing him back in the lawn, it
would appear to me as if a thousand suns have risen in
the sky.
But, alas, this was short-lived!
Sardar Mohan Singh Mann
Immediate Neighbor
~~~
Dr Kharak Singh ji was an enlightened genius person, full
of fundamental aspects of human goodness. A real Karam
Yogi' who was truly following the ideals of Sikhi of naam
japna, kirt karna, wand chhakna. I am without any doubt
that Dr Sahib was in the stage of a real gurmukh as defined
in 8th pauri of Sukhmani Sahib.
Every moment of his life has been a treasure to his family
as well as to the long chain of his friends. Doctor Sahib
was, to me, like a father, close guide, teacher of Divinity
& Sikh history, and the founder of Vanjara Mission.
He polished and encouraged my ideas on various aspects
of youth developmental profiles and the welfare of Vanjaras.
I cannot explain clearly how much I have personally lost
in his demise. The only satisfaction is derived that such
Brahamgiani figure of Panth must be sitting in eternal
peace in the sacred lap of Waheguru Ji in the Sachkhand.
Mohinder Singh,
Secretary, Vanjara Trust, Chandigarh
~~~
T[j f;oc o;sk jh BjhI ;B ftykT[Id/, pbfe uzr/ ;[Mkn d/
e/ w/ohnK ewhnK B{z th d{o eod/ ;B .
ekF ! T[j nZi ;kv/ ftZu j[zd/! T[BQK dk d[ydkJh ftS'Vk
gfotko tk;s/ sK d[ydkJh j? jh, go ;w[Zuh e"w B{z
T[j tZvk xkNk d/ e/ rJ/ jB, i' ed/ th g{ok BjhI ehsk ik
;edk, feT[Ife T[BQK tork fJwkBdko, fwjBsh, ;kc fdb, fJfsjk;
B{z ikBD tkbk, brB, fwjBsh, gZe/ fJokd/ Bkb ezw eoB tkbk
ns/ nkgDh }z[w/tkoh ;wMD tkbk ftnkesh bZGDk w[Ffeb j't/rk
.
Mohinder Singh Grewal
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, GOI
~~~
The news of Dr Kharak Singh s death came as a bolt
from the blue. The last time I saw him was in Chandigarh
about two years ago; I had been invited to speak at a
Seminar in Patiala; Dr Kharak Singh and I travelled together
to Patiala.
Although I only met Dr Kharak Singh on a few occasions,
my acquaintance with him, through his writings, extended
over many years. He was a distinguished scholar. His knowledge,
his grasp of the Sikh religion, as a revealed religion,
distinct from earlier Indian or other world traditions,
and its history, was prodigious. The precision of his
language and the clarity of his views made his books compulsory
reading. I always relied heavily on the material in his
books whenever I had occasion to speak or write about
Sikhs and their religion.
His unique contribution to the debate about Sikhs, their
heritage, their distinct identity, may well be his epitaph.
Justice Mota Singh
Member, Queen s Council, UK
~~~
gzikp dh nkB, f;zxK dh FkB, ikD/ T[BQk B{z d[BhnK ijkB
.
fJj' fij/ ;B gkgk ih ;kv/ ;odko yVe f;zx wkB .
xo
fiBQK d/ ;G s'I T[uh j? wZs, r[o{nK torh fdzd/ ;h f;Zfynk
.
fd;d/ ;h r[o{ wjkoki T[BQK ftZu, ed/ Bk eod/ fe;/ dh fBzfdnk
.
gVhnK
;B T[BQK w/ohnK bktK, oZfynk ;h T[BQK w/ok Bkw .
ofjDr/ jw/FK ;kv/ ftZu, eod/ ;h ;kv/ T[s/ ikB e[opkB .
fJj' fij/ ;B gkgk ih ;kv/ ;odko yVe f;zx wkB .
Mundhawani Kaur, Niece
~~~
Dr Kharak Singh s demise is a personal loss, because
I take him as a parental figure. He was the first person
among the Sikh elders that I came in contact with.
The Guru Nanak Dev Chair at Kamraj University, Madurai,
was a lonely chair, with no contacts with the Sikhs of
any State. I would have probably shifted to the Dept of
Philosophy, but Dr Sahib s personal care upon the
Chair enabled me to run it. I did not disclose to him,
but it was only due to his guidance that I committed myself
to this job for the rest of my life, even if I have to
forego promotion/career.
When I first came to Chandigarh in the early 1990s, Dr
Sahib introduced me to the members of the IOSS. S Daljit
Singh s proposal to translate S Jagjit Singh s
book The Sikh Revolution coincided with mine. At a meeting
held at S Gurdev Singh s (IAS retd) residence, all
members Okayed the Project. Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra,
in a Seminar of IOSS at Chandigarh, released the translated
version. Free copies were distributed among the students.
The book was appreciated, and it went a long way in taking
the message of Guru Nanak to the people of Tamil Nadu.
In the late 1990s, I wanted to learn Punjabi, and the
SGPC sanctioned Rs 10,000/- for it. Dr Sahib arranged
a tutor, and I enjoyed the hospitality of Dr Sahib s
family for about 20 days. It was a noble experience, like
a vacation that I will remember all my life. On the last
day of my stay, Dr Sahib handed me over the entire amount
sanctioned by the SGPC.
In January 2008, at a Seminar organized by the SGPC at
Patiala city, Dr Sahib was sitting on the podium along
with Chief Minister Sardar Parkash Singh Badal and Jathedar
Avtar Singh Makkar. Before going to my paper, I narrated
all these instances. I felt, I must, as gratitude, express
my sentiment in the presence of the dignitaries.
The Guru Nanak Dev Chair has now been promoted to a Department
since 2007, with the help of Governor, TN, Sardar Surjit
Singh Barnala. Today, I have many contacts among the Sikhs,
but my first memories of the parental care showered by
Dr Sahib are very wonderful. I shall always cherish these!
Dr N Muthu Mohan
Chairperson, Guru Nanak Dev Chair
Kamraj University, Madurai
~~~
I met Dr Kharak Singh Mann first time perhaps in 1993
or 1994, when I wanted to show and discuss the manuscript
of my work Jantri 500 Years. I was deeply
impressed with the very cheerful and enthusiastic reception
he gave me an unknown entity. After some time,
he took me to Dr Daljit Singh s residence, where
we discussed some dates pertaining to Guru Sahiban s
lives. My second meeting with him was in a seminar organized
by the IOSS in September 1995, where I gave a presentation
on the need and proposal for a calendar for the Sikh nation.
Under IOSS, he organized and hosted, at his residence,
meetings for developing the Nanakshahi Calendar. I was
so impressed with his organizational skills, and his persuasive
arguments, and his ever-cheerful mood. Once he was convinced
that the Nanakshahi Calendar was the need of the hour,
scientific, and correct, he saw it through to the implementation
stage, communicating with the Jathedar Sahiban, and the
Presidents of the time, over a period of more than a decade,
being a member of various committees. Weathering severe
storm on the issue raised by the diehards, he stayed committed
to it until his last breath.
I had visited and stayed at his Mohali residence quite
a few times. He received me every time with open arms,
and I am sure many many more guests must have felt the
same way. His house seemed to be an inn, where many came,
and the langar was always ready.
I visited him in the hospital early this year. He was
as cheerful in illness as in health. With his passing
away, the IOSS has lost its stalwart, and I have lost
a great friend and mentor. Like the life he led, I am
sure his soul shall be in eternal peace.
Sardar Pal Singh Purewal
<pspurewal@gmail.com>
~~~
The Sikh community worldwide has lost a stalwart, who
will always be remembered with great respect and admiration.
Paramjit Singh Sachdeva, USA
<pssachdeva@aol.com>
~~~
Dr Kharak Singh s selfless service for the Sikh
world, his dedication and contributions for the Sikh cause
and in establishing the International Sikh Confederation,
a great achievement of the Sikh Institute, shall always
be remembered very dearly.
The news of his death is not only a great shock to the
Board Members of the Federation of Sikh Societies of Canada,
it is in fact a sad news for whole Sikh world. The Sikh
community all over the world has lost a great hero.
Pritam Singh Aulakh, USA
<psingha2010@yahoo.com>
~~~
Dr Kharak Singh ji was a Guru s devout Khalsa, eminent
international professional, deeply concerned with the
Sikh youth problems right from his younger days, Institutional
expert with deep insight about the performance and failure
of Sikh institutions, a greater institutional designer
for addressing the Panthic concerns and problems. His
spirit will undoubtedly continue to provide inspiration
and guidance to his associates for accomplishing the tasks,
which he had set for the Sikh institutions.
Pritam Singh Kohli
Former Advisor to Governor, Punjab
~~~
Dr Kharak Singh was a moderator par excellence. I am reminded
of the Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib s couplet,
XUM qo hYN dunIAW myN suKnvr bhuq ACy, kihqy hYN
ik Zwlb kw hY AMdwzy ibAW AOr]
It was on the evening of 6th August that this pious soul
stopped speaking and left the people wondering, bwbw
bolqy khw gey ] dyhI ky sMg rhqy]
It is customary to say on the demise of every person,
gurmuiK jnmu svwir drgh cilAw]scI drgh jwie scw
ipVu milAw]
But in his case when the next portion of this shabad,
gurmiK Bojnu Bwau cwau AlilAw]gurmiK inhcl icqu
n hlY hilAw]
gurmuiK scu Alwau BlI hUM BilAw]gurmuiK sdy jwin Awvn
GilAw]
was recited beside his body it was felt that Dr Kharak
Singh was really the store of such qualities the sum total
of which earn the epithet of gurmukh for a person in Sikh
sidhant.
One who would ever continue to feel his absence,
Sardar Raghbir Singh
Member, Institute of Sikh Studies, Chandigarh
~~~
The greatness of a person is determined, among other things,
by his dealing with his subordinates. Working under Dr
Kharak Singh as his secretarial aid and computer typist
I have been working in a most congenial environment. As
if he could read human faces, he would instantly spot
out my personal miseries despite my putting up a brave
front. Not content with enquiring and sympathizing with
me during such moments, he would offer every kind of support
- financial and/or emotional. I consider myself most fortunate
to have worked with such a fine human being and a humane
boss.
He was a boss with a difference.
Ramesh, History Project
~~~
w?I T[BQK B{z ed/ r[Z;/ j[zd/ BjhI t/fynk . jw/FK fgnko
Bkb jh ;wMkT[IfdnK t/fynk j? . w/o/ ihtB ftZu i/eo e'Jh
gqkgsh j? sK fJ;dk pj[sk fjZ;k wkB ;kfjp dh jh d/D j?
.
T[BQK B/ uzvhrVQ fty/ fJz;NhfuT{N nkc f;Zy ;NZvh} dh ;EkgBk
ehsh . fJ; dk nkgDk
e/Ido pDkfJnk ns/ pVh T[u gkJ/ dh y'i eotkJh . T[j ;qh
r[o{ rqzE ;kfjp dh f;Zfynk B{z gqukoB ns/ gq;koD bJh :sBFhb
;B . fJ; ;z;Ek tb'I gzikp ;wZf;nktK pko/ ftuko tNKdok
eoB bJh eJh e"wh gZXo s/ ;?whBko eotkJ/ ns/ ;oeko
B{z pVhnK T[;ko{ ;/XK fdZshnK .
gzikp, yk; eoe/ f;Zy GkJhuko/ bJh fJj fJe tZvk xkNk j?
. T[BQK tork ;ekbo, fBFekw ;/te, fBogZy B/sk s/ f;Zyh
n;{bK dk XkoBh fwbDk pVk w[Ffeb j? . T[BQK dh ;yFhns wjkB
;h . T[BQK ftZu fJe nfijh fyZu ;h fi; ;dek c?vo/FB d/
gq'rokw B{z B/go/ ukVQD bJh T[BQK dh fJe nghb s/ ;koh
d[BhnK ftZu eo"VK o[gJ/ d/D bJh dkBh ;ZiD nZr/ nkJ/
.
Dr Ranjit Singh
Dean (retd), PAU, Ludhiana
~~~
I found in him the real educationist who could solve many
problems related to rural education of the Punjab. That
was the beginning of our life-long relationship. I found
in him a versatile scholar, and a many-splendoured personality.
He was a gurmukh personified. He was my yardstick to assess
the calibre and capability of scholars and saints. In
his lifetime, he became an authority on Sikh philosophy
and Sikh principles. The accompaniment of a Tanti Saj
in Harimandir Sahib keertan was introduced with his efforts
and advice. He guided and moulded the thoughts of the
Sikhs throughout the world, through his editorials. His
was the voice of Sikhs' conscience and the court of the
last appeal when the Panth faced danger.
Sadhu Singh Deol
Principal (retd), Chandigarh
~~~
This is a testing time as much for the family as for the
countless friends, and indeed for the Sikh nation as a
whole! To me, he has long been an esteemed guide, friend
and philosopher.
Sardar Saran Singh, IAS (retd)
Editor, The Sikh Review
~~~
F/y ;kndh B/ fejk j? fe w[odk s/ T[j b'e jB fiBQK B{z
b'ehI B/eh d/ BK Bkb i'Ve/ :kd BjhI eod/ . vkeNo yVe f;zx
sK B/eh dk w[i;wk ;B - T[j sK jw/FK ;kB{z :kd ofjDr/ .
Dr Sardara Singh Johl
Ex-VC, Pbi Univ, Patiala
~~~
vkeNo yVe f;zx ih d/ nekb ubkD/ dk pj[s d[Zy ns/ xkN j?
. T[BQK dk y'i Gog{o ;kfjs, ;kfjp ;qh r[o{ rqzE ;kfjp
ih dh feqgk ;dek, fJe nfijh d/D j? i' fe ykb;k gzE bJh
fJe tvw[Zbk ]}kBk j? . T[BQK dh Xkofwe, ;wkfie, rohp gfotkoK
B{z ekpb/-o'}rko pBkT[D bJh ;/tktK, ;G d/ wBK ftZu :kd
o{g ftZu nfwZN ofjDrhnK .
Sardar Seetal Singh
General Secretary
International Society for Welfare of Weaker Sections
~~~
vkeNo yVe f;zx ih d/ nekb ubkD/ Bkb f;Zy gzE B{z xkNk
fgnk j? T[j Bk ed/ g{ok j'D tkbk xkNk j? . vkeNo ;kfjp
dhnK f;Zy gzE gqsh ehshnK j'JhnK ;/tktK B{z jw/FK :kd
ofynk ikt/rk .
Sardar Sohan Singh Sood
Gurdwara Talmel Committee, Mohali
~~~
vkeNo yVe f;zx f;Zy e"w d/ ftdtkB ns/ e"wh dod
oZyD tkb/ ;B, e"w B{z T[BQK d/ ikD Bkb Bk g{ok j'D
tkbk xkNk fgnk j? . w/oh fizdrh dh fizdrh th T[BQK dh
w/jopkBh eoe/ j? .
Dr Sukhdev Singh, Canada
Ex-Agriculture Commissioner, Govt of India
~~~
The demise of Doctor Sahib is a great loss to the Sikh
Panth. Scholars like him are very rare, especially in
these days, among the Khalsa Panth.
Since Bhai Vir Singh and other contemporary scholars,
only recently, this Institute of Sikh Studies is showing
the Gian' light about gurmat, gursikhi in modern
way and at par with modern scholars. All the intellectuals
and modern Sikh students have been benefiting from these
individuals who find time for others and share their knowledge
with the masses. Such devoted and dedicated individuals
leave only good memories.
God took these brilliant scholars one by one; with this
great loss another bright star on the Sikh sky has faded
away.
Surjit Singh Jeet
South Asia Cultural Heritage Centre, London (UK)
~~~
eEBh s/ eoBh ftZu nzso Bk eoB tkb/ ;B vkeNo yVe f;zx ih
. fiBQK dk jo p'b i[pkB u'I BjhI, ihn u'I BjhI, pbfe ihtB
u'I fBebdk ;h . T[jBK dk T[d/F f;ZyK B{z p/b'V/ Neokn
s/ pukn e/ soZeh d/ okj s/ s'oBk ;h . nkg ih B/ gzikp
dhnK ;wZf;nktK s'I edh w{zj BjhI w'fVnk .
T[jBK tork ;ekbo, fBFekw ;/te, fBogZy B/sk s/ f;Zyh n;{bK
dk XkoBh fwbDk w[Ffeb j? . yVe f;zx ih wkB nfij/ jho/
;B i' jo ykB ;/ fBebk BjhI eos/ . nfij/ dhdkto fJB;kB
pVh w[Ffeb Bkb g?dk j[zd/ jB .
r[owfs ;Ku/ ftZu Ybh j'Jh T[j fJe wjkB ;]Fhns ;B . fenk
pks ;h ! T[j d{odoFh ns/ ;{M-p{M tkb/ fJB;kB ;B
gzE dk fdwkr ;B . T[j ;ko/ p[ZXhihthnK B{z fJe i[N eoBk
ukj[zd/ ;B . fiZE/ }ok fijh th T[BQK B{z fuzDr B}o nkT[Idh,
T[j T[; d/ e'b y[Zd gj[zu iKd/ ;B ns/ Bkb b? e/ ubd/ ;B.
T[j fJwkBdko, fwjBsh ns/ brB Bkb ezw eoB tkb/ ;B . T[BQK
dhnK fJjBK jh y{phnK s/ n;hI nkgD/ ekbi dhnK BhjK gkJhnK
jB . n?v/ uwed/ ;{oi bJh n;hI eh efj ;ed/ jK<!
T[BQK dhnK ;z;EktK fJz;NhfuT{N nkc f;Zy ;NZvh},
ns/ fJzNoB?FBb f;Zy eBc?vo/FB B{z Bw;eko !
Sardar Swaran Singh Tugalwal
Baba Aya Singh Riarki College, Tugalwal
~~~
It was the saddest day of my life when I learnt of the
sad demise of Dr Kharak Singh ji. Whenever we visited
India, it was pilgrimage for us to meet him and pay our
obeisance.
Dr Kharak Singh was a man of many parts. He was an Ag.
Economist of international repute, scientist and, above
all, philosopher all in one person. He was an
interpreter and exponent of Sikhism and projected successfully
a correct image of Sikhism and the Sikh community in India
as well as abroad. He tried earnestly to rebut any distortions
or misrepresentations of Sikh Religion and its History.
He was a great orator and writer who explained his ideas
in a lucid style. He was dedicated to uplift the Sikh
Panth to its original glory from its mess.
His unexpected demise has created a vacuum in the Sikh
Nation, which is hard to fulfill.
As a man he was superb, gentle, noble but strong:
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up
And say to the world, "This was a man !"
Shakespeare s Julius Caesar
Dr Tej Pal Singh, Australia
<singhbhattig@yahoo.com>
~~~
His stature was much higher than the other mortals, a
qualification to pass through heaven s portals.
He was a true son of the soil, won oodles of plaudits
for his country, province and community through his dedication
and toil. He was the possessor of an illustrious personality,
an epitome of dignity and conviviality. Struggle, success
and service are what his life signified. Youth, for sure
can take a cue from his life, so dignified.
He is one among the stars that adorn the sky at night,
dispelling darkness and emitting light.
Sardar Vardeep Singh, Grandchild
~~~
vkeNo yVe f;zx f;oiBksfwe ns/ T[;koh tkbh ;'u d/ XkoBh
;B . jw/FK gzE dh uVQdh ebk tk;s/ :sBFhb ;B . Bk ed/ r[Z;k
eod/, Bk frbk fdzd/, jw/FK jbhwh ftZu ftuod/ ;B ns/ f;Zy
gzE d/ w;fbnK pko/ pVh rfjokJh Bkb ftuko eoe/ ;[Mkn fdzd/
;B .
Sardar Waryam Singh
Secretary, Dharam Parchar Committee, Sri Amritsar
The tributes that appears elsewhere in this issue are
not reproduced here. More messages are arriving, but it
is time for the Journal to go to the press &
¤
