Barjinder Singh
Hamdard
Barjinder Singh Hamdard, the Editor-in-Chief of the Ajit group of Publications (Ajit is the most popular
newspaper published from Jalandhar), is an intellectual journalist, singer and Former Member of Rajya
Sabha. Born on 20 August 1944 in the house of Dr. Sadhu Singh Hamdard (legendry Punjabi writer and
journalist), S. Barjinder Singh started his journalistic journey with Punjabi Tribune. He was the founder
editor of Punjabi Tribune and established that paper in such a way that he himself came to be known as great
name in Punjabi journalism. When he took over Ajit, Punjabi Newspaper, he added new milestones at every
step of progress of this group. Under his leadership Ajit become a multi-edition newspaper with state of the
art technology, one of the widest network of reporters covering Punjab centric affairs across the world and
struck a chord with Punjabis not only at home but among the wider diaspora. His contribution to literature
is also highly significant. Embodying the subtle and complex narrative of human relationships, his novel
Kujh Patre was instant hits, which caught the imagination of vast Punjabi readership, was translated into
Gujarati and serialized in eight episodes on Doordarshan, Jalandhar in 1991. This creativity imbued with
brilliant imaginative refractions and renderings is spread over half a dozen books including the admirable
travelogue Dhartian de Geet and collection of his special editorials.
His love for music has highlighted
his brilliant singing talent. He has sung Punjabi songs, ghazals, Hindi and Urdu songs and ghazals and
feature in songs sung by him. He has a number of musical albums to his credit. One of his albums of Lok
Geets was released at Lovely University, Jalandhar only a few months back. During that function, which
was attended by a large number of people including S. Parkash Singh Badal, the Chief Minister of Punjab,
his melodious voice used with chorographic presentation impressed one and all. Possessed with so many
qualities of a journalist, writer, music lover and above all an excellent human being, he has been decorated
with many awards like Shiromoni Patarkar by Punjab Government, special award by SGPC and honorary
D.Lit. by Punjabi University Patiala. He was also honoured with special privilege of delivering speech as
representative of Government of India at the General Council UNO in 1990. He was made MP, Rajya Sabha
in 1998. Earlier he was awarded Padamshri, but this year he was awarded with Padam Bhushan by the
Government of India. Widely travelled S. Barjinder Singh Hamdard is considered at a symbol of Punjab,
Punjabi and Punjabiat. With his loving nature, the great role-model as he is, he has contributed immensely
to international understanding of which he is now an icon. His email is news@ajitpublications.com.