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Dr Kharak Singh – Eminent Scholar, Self-sustaining
and Low Profile Altruist –
S Gurdev Singh*
Ageless, erudite, affectionate, tenacious, savvy and a
liberal host, Dr Kharak Singh, who passed away on August
6, 2008 at Chandigarh, was one-of-a-kind great broadcaster
of Gurmat – Sikh value system. Before devoting himself
exclusively and devotionally to the spreading of the message
of Sikh Gurus, Dr Kharak Singh had acquired immense worldly
experience through :
Education :
Matric
GTB Khalsa High School, Baba Bakala, Created a new
record (1938)
B Sc (Agri) Khalsa College, Amritsar (1942)
M Sc (Agri) Punjab University, Solan (1954)
M Sc (Agr Econ) Ohio State University, USA (1961)
Ph D (Agr Econ) Ohio State University, USA (1967)
A
topper and scholarship holder throughout.
Service Career :
Punjab Agriculture College, Lyallpur :
Teaching and Research : 1942-1947
Agriculture College / Punjab Agriculture University,
Ludhiana :
Teaching, Research and Agriculture Development
as Asstt. Professor and Professor : 1948-1962
Punjab Government :
Agriculture Development, as Deputy / Joint Director
Agri.
Introduced high yielding varieties
and Green Revolution : 1963-1967
Govt. of India, Ministry of Agriculture :
Jt. Director, Desert Development Board : 1967 -1968
Managing Director,
State Farms Corporation of India : 1975-1977
Leader of farm delegation to USSR : 1977
United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation,
Rome :
Agriculture Economic Advisor to Governments
in Ghana, Yemen, Iran, Libya, Zambia, etc. : 1968-1975
Missions to several countries in Africa,
Middle-East with headquarters in Rome : 1977-84
Dr
Kharak Singh was born during the Morcha Guru-ka-Bagh year
on the Gurparab day of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji at village
Rayya Khurd (Distt Amritsar). His father Sardar Saudagar
Singh, a fervent freedom fighter and reformer, was in
jail at that time in connection with the Morcha Guru-ka-Bagh.
Having grown up in an atmosphere surcharged with aspirations
of reform, religious and political freedom and availing
himself of the opportunity of attaining the best of education
and gainful global experience, Dr Kharak Singh was aptly
equipped to put across the pristine values of Sikh ethos.
After his retirement from the UNO and securing for himself
a sound financial setting, he wholeheartedly and exclusively
devoted all his time, energy, intellect and resources
to plan and implement various pragmatic programmes for
the spread of the divine message of Gurmat, especially
the welfare of the under-privileged and socially deprived.
In association with the eminent scholars Sardar Daljeet
Singh, Prof Jagjit Singh and a few others, Dr Kharak Singh
formed a small group of enlightened thinkers who regularly
deliberated upon the various issues concerning the welfare
of the Sikhs. Out of those deliberations was born a regular
nucleus organisation – Institute of Sikh Studies
whose objectives are:
1. To bring the latest advances in Sikh studies to the
notice of scholars and general readers.
2. To project a correct image of Sikhism and the Sikh
community in India as well as abroad.
3. To watch, report and rebut any distortions or misrepresentations
of Sikh religion and its history.
4. To serve as a living link, and provide coordination
among organisations engaged in promotion of Sikh studies.
5. To highlight problems of Sikh diaspora, and suggest
solutions.
6. To arrange reviews of important publications relating
to Sikhism.
7. To assist readers in framing an informed opinion on
matters relating to Sikhism and Sikh studies.
8. To give publicity to activities of various Sikh societies
around the world.
9. To act as a forum for expression of readers’
views.
10. To advertise appropriate literature on Sikhism.
To achieve these objectives effectively, the Institute
of Sikh Studies started publishing its journal the Abstracts
of Sikh Studies whose first edition was brought out under
the co-editorship of Sardar Daljeet Singh and Dr Kharak
Singh in the year 1991. Except for brief breaks, Dr Kharak
Singh did a yeoman’s service as its distinguished
Editor right upto his death.
Editing a scholarly journal and writing its Editorials
is a very important and responsible function. Brilliant
writing is difficult to sustain. The Editorials are rigorously
balanced assessments of the subjects deftly appraised.
Dr Kharak Singh did not demean the writing to which he
brought so much passion, pain, adroitness and serene message.
He was resolutely devoted to keep very high standard of
the journal Abstracts of Sikh Studies. Always tenacious
and savvy, he continued writing upto his last breath.
To provide widest possible views on a subject, he encouraged
scholars of various genre to contribute their write-ups
to the journal. Dr Kharak Singh not only ensured quality
of the contents of the journal, he worked hard and sucessfully
to arrange financial support for the publication of the
journal which did not seek insertion of commercial advertisements
to keep it going. The Abstracts of Sikh Studies is consequently
a purely scholarly/ research journal carrying learned
contributions of various hues.
He was pioneer in the setting up of the World Institute
of Sikh Education and Research (WISER) to take up research
and training programmes on Gurbani, Sikh philosophy and
history as also the International Sikh Confederation whose
objectives are :
a) To share the ideology of Guru Granth Sahib with all
humanity for evolving a harmonious social order;
b) To articulate short- and long-term goals of the Panth;
c) To promote the cause of the Sikh community in national
and international forums;
d) To articulate and express the views on behalf of the
Sikh community in the above forums, and thus to represent
the Panth in all domestic and international spheres;
e) To co-ordinate activities of various Sikh organisations;
f) To help resolve and work towards settlement of all
philosophical and other issues affecting the Panth as
a whole;
g) To deal with problems of existing or potential schisms
in the Panth;
h) To rebut academic and other attacks on Sikh religion,
culture, identity, tradition and history;
i) To promote education and economic development of the
Sikh community;
j) To promote research and publication of literature on
Sikh religion, tradition, identity, culture and history;
k) To take vigorous and sustained measures to promote
Punjabi language; and
l) To initiate and help promote national and international
effort for humanitarian causes in pursuance of the basic
Sikh tenet of Sarbat da Bhala (well being of all).
He formulated and coordinated the Sikh History Project
for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. This
project is busy preparing the authentic Sikh history in
five volumes. Upto his sad demise, he vigorously guided
the Trust for the upliftment of Vanjaras, Lobanas, Sikligars
and other weaker sections of the community. He was a prominent
member of the Sikh Educational Society which is running
half a dozen well-known colleges/schools in Punjab and
Chandigarh. Dr Kharak Singh edited/authored over two dozen
books concerning Sikhs through the Institute of Sikh Studies.
Sikhism : Its Philosophy and History (1997) is a unique
contribution.
He was for quite some time a member of the SGPC’s
Dharam Parchar Committee and exerted his utmost to make
the prachar programmes more effective in tune with modern
times. He played a leading role in recharging the Kendri
Sri Guru Singh Sabha to make it function much more vigorously.
Even after his retirement from the UNO, Dr Kharak Singh
travelled widely in India and abroad to address conferences,
seminars and present learned papers for the spread of
divine message of the Sikh Gurus.
There are two prominent characteristics of human nature:
self-interest and caring for others. By using his own
financial means, intellectual credentials and immense
social influence to respond to challenging community problems
in a meaningful way, Dr Kharak Singh typifies the altruistic
character. His initiatives/endeavours in spreading knowledge,
clearing mental cobwebs, eradicating illiteracy / ignorance
speak volumes of his noble disposition. I had many an
opportunity to work with him in a number of aforesaid
organisations and projects. The inexhaustible physical
and intellectual energy and superb analytical and historical
praxis he brought to bear on his pursuits were of exceptionally
high standard. I thank and applaud him for taking all
these initiatives to minimise social woes of illiteracy,
undernourishment and ill health.
Scholars from various genre would join him, but it was
Dr Kharak Singh with his lexicon and turns of phrase who
held the centre stage. The write-ups he produced would
live on to inspire future generations in many ways. He
knew the frustration of the deprived and at the same time
cherished the innocent dreams of the indigent child.
Just a few days before he left his mortal frame, I went
to see him in his sick bed on July 24, 2008. His lady-wife
and daughter Dr Birendra Kaur were with him. He was physically
feeble but spiritually resolute as ever. The few moments
I spent with him, he was lying straight and least concerned
with worldly gains. Welfare of the Sikh people was uppermost
in his lofty mind and eloquent expression. He lamented
the chaotic deliberative and decision-making aspect of
the Sikh leadership, observed that the contribution of
the globally eminent scholar Dr Gurbakhsh Singh USA has
not been adequately recognised and desired the publication
of another writer’s anthology.
He dedicated huge spell of time, effort and compassion
in voluntarily serving people. He was associated with
various programmes, the aim of which is to teach people
how to incorporate human values in their life. He is an
outstanding role model and inspiration to others in community
service.
Dr Kharak Singh was an indefatigably painstaking intellectual
who epitomised what means to be a good human. He was wholeheartedly
supported in his noble endeavours by his graceful wife
Sardarni Raj Mohinder Kaur and other members of his devoted
family. Rare individuals are so blessed and destined to
such a purposeful and rewarding life. May his living inspire
others to play fruitful role for the betterment of the
society.
