sikhpride

Kuldeep Singh Dhir is a renowned writer of popular science and literature. He was born on 15th November 1943 in Mandi Bahaudin, Punjab (Now in Pakistan) in the house of S. Prem Singh and Bibi Kulwant Singh Dhir. After doing his Bachelor of Science from Thapar Institute/Engineering/technology Patiala, India in 1966, he got his Master’s Degree in Punjabi language and literature from Patiala in 1974. He started his career as Research investigator at The Indian Institute of Applied Man Power Research, New Delhi and as Assistant Professor at U.P. Agriculture University Pant Nagar, Nainital. However, he could not continue his career as Mechanical Engineer and his love for his language and culture brought him back to Punjab where he started working as Assistant Development officer (Planning) to execute project for the development of Punjabi language in scientific and technical fields at Punjabi University Patiala. Later on he became Professor and then Chairman Board Graduate Studies in the said university. During all these years, he added to his experience and qualification (he got Doctor of Philosophy, Punjabi University, 1979). He has written a number of books in Punjabi and the uniqueness of his writing is that he has explain the practical concept of science in simple Punjabi with the object to develop a scientific outlook among common people. It is because of this unique contribution in his sixty books that he got prestigious position, awards and honours and became a role-model for this kind of literature. Whereas, he rose in his career to the post of Dean, Faculty of languages, the honours destroed upon him include Tagore Competition Award language department, Punjab, 1962, Non-player Character Essay Award National Productivity Council of India, Delhi, 1967, and Shiromani Pustak Award Punjabi Sahitya, Sameekhya Board, 1985. He was also awarded as the Shirmoani Punjabi Lekhak in 1999. He has been member of Punjab Sahitya Academy, Ludhiana, Guru Nanak Mission, Patiala, and Member Academy Council, Punjabi University from 1992-1995. His important works include Author Taap Gati Vigyan Te Taap Engine, 1971 (Special award 1971), Padarth Samratha Vigyan, 1972 (Special award 1972), Udyogic Te Utpadan Engineery, 1973 (Special award 1973), Sheetan Te Vayoo Anukoolan, 1975 (Special award 1975) and Bhai Santokh Singh Puruskar, 1998. His importance as a science writer can guage from the fact that when his five books on science were released during 58 department of Autonomic Energy Solid State Physics symposium at Thapar University in December 2013, a number of scientist from Bhabha Atomic Research Center including Director Sh. K.K. Raina were present. These five books were Bharti Atom Bomb Da Mahan Birtant, Nanotechnology : Agli Kranti, Dharti Ho Pare Hor Hor, Vigya, Vigyani ate Aaam Aadmi and Navan Vigyan Naven Dishade. S. Dhir has become a role-model because of these wonderful addition to the science literature in Punjabi. In addition he has contributed a good number of articles to professional journals given various talks on media and at other platforms and has made the people aware and conscious of a scientific approach in life through his social service activities.