sikhpride

On his return to India he took over as Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University Patiala on 11th December 2007 and since then he has been holding this position after getting extensions. These extensions were given to him as he has taken a keen interest in raising the status of Punjabi language as well as the University. The various achievements of the University include : Bestowal of highest “A” grade by the UGC’s National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAC) to the University; Winning of the coveted MAKA trophy for three years in succession enabling it to emerge as the “Best Sports University” in the country; Establishment of UGC’s Women’s Study Centre, UGC’s Academic Staff College and Centre of Advancement Media Centre; Hosting of an All-India Punjabi Conference on the occasion of University’s Foundation Day celebrations with the objective of ensuring a cohesive promotion of Punjab, coupled with all-inclusive participation by Punjabis spread all over India engaged in diverse activities; Initiating special effort to pave the way for digitizing all the invaluable historical documents in the Main Library and in the Department of Punjab Historical Studies; Organizing the Rababi Bhai Mardana Classical Music Conference on the pattern of Harvallabh Sangeet Sammelan helping Punjabi University carve out a special niche for itself in the field of Sikh Divine Music, he has also improved the environment of the University Campus by setting up an ‘Environment Society’ which ensures that the campus remain polythene and smoke free. Apart from all these achievements as a Vice-Chancellor, he has endeared himself among the staff and the students. He has shown special consideration for the rural students by establishing Regional Centers for them in rural areas like Jaito and Mour Mandi. All these things make him a role-model Vice-Chancellor. However, apart from being a Vice-Chancellor, there are many more aspects of his personality. He is a social activist, a writer, an outstanding orator and a Sikh preacher. He spends lots of time with social organizations and social works. He has spearheaded the establishment of an independent geriatric clinic at Patiala’s Senior Citizens Welfare Association Centre to provide treatment to the old age patients suffering from different ailments. His role as a Sikh preacher is clearly visible from his writings and lectures. He has written hundreds of articles on Sikh history and religion (and also on the issues of National and International politics). His wellknown books includes ‘Raj Da Sikh Sankalp’, ‘Sikh Dharam Te Rajniti’, ‘Sri Guru Granth Sahib: Sadivi Prerna Srot’, ‘Sri Guru Granth Sahib : The Sikh Scripture’, and ‘Sikh Virasat : Sidhant Te Vihar’. A large number of Presidential and keynote addresses delivered by him at various National and International Seminars prove him as an erudite scholar of Sikhism. He has also been associated with various Sikh organizations (e.g. General Secretary DSGMC) from time to time. For his meritorious services in the field of education as well Sikh religion, he has been awarded a number of fellowships and awards including Nishan-e-Khalsa (1999). Various organizations like Chief Khalsa Diwan, Delhi University, Guru Nanak Dev University and Wilkins University, USA have also honoured him. He is really an outstanding Sikh role-model in all respects.