barublogDr. Davinder Singh receives the Dr S Radhakrishnan Memorial National Teachers Award
Dr. Davinder Singh, Principal, Akal Academy Baru Sahib has been honored with the Dr S Radhakrishnan Memorial National Teachers Award – 2006 for his contribution in the field of education.
As many as 155 teachers and professors of schools and colleges were honored with the Dr. Radhakrishnan Award on this year’s National Teachers’ Day.
The awards were given away by Union Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken at a function organized to mark the 119th birth anniversary of late President Dr. S Radhakrishnan on 4 Sept. 2006 at Shah Auditorium, New Delhi.
The awards are given away every year by the All India Freelance Journalist and Writers’ Association and National Child & Women Development Charitable Trust to educationists for their services in the field of education, art and culture, conservation of environment and creating health awareness.
A brief interaction with Dr. Davinder Singh
How do you feel on being honored by Dr. Radhakrishnan Award on this year’s Teachers’ Day?
The award is for the entire team of tireless workers and well-wishers.
I was merely the instrument ordained to receive it on behalf of everyone.
Your comments on present education system?
There is an acute need to inculcate values in children. This is something which has to be done in right earnest at an early age so that it becomes an integral part of the child’s personality as he grows up into an adult.
One cannot thrust values at a later age.
What special steps have you taken to make Akal Academy ‘a school with a difference’?
As per the direction given by Sant Attar Singh Ji and Sant Teja Singh Ji, Baba Iqbal Singh Ji and Dr. Khem Singh Ji have designed a unique programme for students of Akal Academy where spiritual training and meditation are the most important parts of the child’s routine. These in turn help the child to focus and concentrate on any problem, analyse it and find solutions. Once they develop this unparalleled virtue, excellence in studies follows automatically.
What progress have you witnessed since you came to Baru Sahib?
Almost unbelievable growth in terms of infrastructural development and facilities.
Please tell us about yourself before coming to Baru Sahib?
I did my schooling from PPS Nabha, Pre-Medical from Khalsa College New Delhi and then M.B.B.S. and M.D. (Med.) from Maulana Azad Medical College New Delhi.
When did you decide to volunteer your services for The Kalgidhar Society, Baru Sahib?
On completing my studies and training at Maulana Azad Medical College, I was getting increasingly disillusioned with the material world. It struck me that even if I attained the highest post in the country in medical profession, I would still not be able to consider my life as “well spent” and “successful”.
Then the communal riots in Delhi occurred and completely changed my life’s perspective. I realized that there was more to life than the carefree, happy-go-lucky casual approach. I started looking for ways and means to leave Delhi and work for the needy in some remote place.
I think, ever since (1984), I have not taken a day off from work or gone on a vacation.
What inspired you to dedicate your life for philanthropic activities?
I was inspired by Sant Teja Singh Ji’s Jiwan. I felt at that time when I read Sant Attar Singh Ji’s Jiwan for the first time, that Sant Attar Singh Ji was a born saint while Sant Teja Singh by his absolute humility, submission and devotion to Sant Attar Singh Ji’s “hukam”, almost forced (pardon me for using this word) Sant Attar Singh Ji to bestow Braham Gyan on him.
Then, on my first visit to Baru Sahib in 1988, I was absolutely overwhelmed by what I saw. One man (Baba Iqbal Singh Ji) fighting all odds to establish a novel institution just to fulfill the order of the “master”. The magnetic pull became irresistible.
You belong to medical profession. What made you to work in the field of education along with the medical profession?
The need of the institution at that time. And for this, I did B.Ed. from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak in 1995.
How did you prepare yourself for it? Did you have any apprehensions about it?
None whatsoever as I loved teaching. Before coming here I taught medical graduates and postgraduates.
How do you maintain balance between these two professions?
Need of the situation dictates distribution of time. By and large about 70% of my time goes into serving the needs of the school and 25% for hospital work. First priority, of course, goes to the emergency medical needs of the students of Akal Academy.
Please tell us about the journey from Akal Academy to Akal University?
The vision and prophecy of Sant Teja Singh Ji is unfolding at its own pace as per the Divine Will.
Your message to your students on Teachers’ Day?
Imbibe virtues and learn to focus and concentrate. Develop sterling qualities of honesty, integrity, candour, sincerity, hard work and above all compassion for the poor.
Your message to the professionals who would like to volunteer for philanthropic activities of The Kalgidhar Society, Baru Sahib?
Every professional must contribute his bit for uplift of the most needy.
This is how we can pay back our debt to society.
Add comment