sikhpride

Damanbir Singh Jaspal is an IAS officer of 1976 batch. After completing his studies ending with M.A. in English literature from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar in 1974 (he got first position in the University), he joined Indian Administrative Service in 1976. Later on he added to his qualification by doing MBA from Hull University, U.K. and obtaining diplomas in Naturopathy and Computer Applications. Although, during his tenure as an IAS officer, he held many important posts including MD of Punjab Warehousing Corporation, Punjab Tourism Corporation and Markfed, Principal Secreatry of Frosts/hill, Director of Information and Public Relation, and Principal Secretary, Department of Information and Public Relation. His maximum time was spent in Public relation Departments. It was this experience in Public relation which led him to focus on environment. He became a role-model when after his retirement, he conceived, conceptualized and implemented, a project of Museum of Trees in Chandigarh under the auspices of an NGO, the Chandigarh Nature and Health Society. This project of unique environmental significance is only one of its kind in the world and being supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. His another project which makes him a role-model is known as Museum of Peace. This project on the AtariWagha Border in Amritsar is a memorial to the partition of India and celebrates the common architectural, cultural and culinary heritage of pre-partition Punjab. In addition to these two memorable projects, he has rendered a useful service to the Sikh community by giving a book entitled ‘Tryst with Trees’ which presents in pioneering studies and pictorial documentation of sacred Sikh shrines named after trees. He has mentioned the names of 58 sacred Sikh shrines in India and Pakistan that are named after 19 species of trees, like Gurdwara Babe-Di-Ber, Gurdwara Nim Sahib, Gurdwara Tahli Sahib, Gurdwara Ritha Sahib Gurdwara Amb Sahib, Gurdwara Imli Sahib, Gurdwara Pipli Sahib, Gurdwara Jand Sahib and Gurdwara Phalahi Sahib. Recently when he held an exhibition in Pakistan (on the occasion of Guru Nanak’s birthday 2016), he spoke about the importance of environment in Sikh religion. According to him “love and respect for nature and environment are common to every religion, the naming of sacred shrines after trees is unique to Sikhism. He pointed out that during the time of Guru Nanak, Nankana Sahib and its environs were thickly forested with hardy species like the ‘van’, ‘jand’ and ‘phalahi’ that are now almost extinct. “Guru Nanak would often retreat into the forest for meditation and to be in the company of saints and seers,” he said. Jaspal, who has held exhibitions in New York, Washington, Oslo, Delhi, Chandigarh and Lahore travelled extensively in India and Pakistan over a period of three years to compile the material and photographs for his book. He has also prepared concept plan of International Media University, Prepared Strategic Concept Plan – Doordarshan News – Asian Channel and as DIPR, prepared Operational Manual of Public Relations Department. A person who has propagated the idea of environment in Sikh religion in such a practical way is definitely one of the best Ambassador of Sikh religion in the world. He is really a great role model in this regard.