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Dr Kharak Singh – A Man of Sterling Qualities
Dr Harnam Singh Shan*
With the passing away of Dr Kharak Singh, a legend seems
to have passed away – a legend which ushered in
with the advent of the Singh Sabha Movement and associated
with it some highly devoted and wide-awake Sikh intellectuals
of the day, viz, Bhai Gurmukh Singh, Ditt Singh, Jawahar
Singh, Vir Singh and Bhagat Lakshman Singh. Dr Kharak
Singh appears to have followed their footprints, adding
to them his world-wide wisdom, farsighted approach, vast
knowledge, varied experience, Panthic spirit, unflinching
faith, firm determination, missionary zeal, liberal attitude,
organisational ability, and whole-hearted devotion to
the causes so dear to us.
The Institute of Sikh Studies, its unbroken chain of annual
seminars, a rich crop of publications and Abstracts of
Sikh Studies devoted to projecting a correct image of
the Sikhs and Sikhism, rebutting any distortions or misrepresentation
of its doctrine, history or traditions, and repulsing
academic challenges as well as its independent entity/identity,
organising public opinion on many other vital issues affecting
the community at home and abroad, pointing out problems
and dangers ahead, analyzing them wisely and suggesting
their effective solutions speak volumes of his noble aspirations,
sincere efforts and lofty achievements.
Launching of the International Sikh Confederation with
the sole object of dedicated service to the Panth has
been his latest contribution. This has raised him further
as the leading figure of the ongoing Sikh Awakening Movement
and pronouncing him not only a man of sterling qualities
but also an institution in himself. That is why his wise
counsel on Sikh affairs was eagerly sought and valued
both by the Punjab Government and the Sikh Organizations,
like the SGPC. His irreparable loss has, therefore, been
mourned widely by the Sikhs at home and abroad.
