Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar, recently appointed as President of SGPC for the second time, was born on
14th January 1942. He completed his education with a Master degree in English literature from Government
Mahindera College, Patiala. He started his career in teaching by joining a college in Fatehgarh Sahib in
1991. But after sometime he was attracted towards politics. His leadership qualities made him a popular
leader of Akali Dal. When Akalis launched morcha against the emergency in 1970, he led the first Jatha of
Akali workers of Patiala District and remained in jail. He remained General Secretary of the District unit
of the SAD in 1974-75. He was elected the 32nd President of SGPC in 2001. It was during that period that
Nanakshahi Calendar was approved and adopted. He is a role-model politician because of his knowledge,
intelligence, honesty and humanity. However, the literary aspect of his personality adds more to his status as
a Gursikh role-model. He is a prolific writer and most of his writings are aimed at promoting Sikh religion
and propagating its tenets and teachings. He has authored several tracts and six books, including Gurmat
Sabheachar, Gurmat Vichar and Sikhi Jiwan. All these books show his deep knowledge regarding Sikh
way of life and culture. Further, he believes in Uniting all the Sikhs and deal with the Sikh issues by using
collective wisdom. Now as the 41st President of the SGPC, he is expected to use his wisdom and experience
as a politician as well as Sikh preacher for bringing unity among various factions and groups of Sikhs.