Dr Khem Singh Gill was a legend who in his quiet mannerism endeared himself to one and all. A gentleman par excellence, a scientist with the humane touch, an exemplary teacher and guide at the pioneering Agri institution of India -the Punjab Agricultural University, he impacted thousands of students during his long illustrious career and life. PAU Professor Renuka Sarabjeet Singh reminisces the kind-hearted soul on his first death anniversary.

TIRELESS AGRICULTURAL LEGEND, PADMA BHUSHAN AWARDEE AND FORMER VICE-CHANCELLOR OF PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, DR KHEM SINGH GILL died this day last year at the ripe age of 89 years. Departed yet not disheartened, ever inspiring, and vibrating in the hearts of thousands of people in Punjab.

Born on 1 September 1930 in village Kaleke, Moga, Punjab in the family of Sardar Lakha Singh and Sardarni Tej Kaur, this educationist transformed the world of agriculture learning in India and especially in the Punjab.

Living up to the ideal of being a Saint-Soldier as mandated by the Gurus, he was an outstanding agricultural scientist. His commendable research on wheat is today feeding millions across the globe.

The farmers of Punjab admire Dr Khem Singh Gill for his expertise as an agricultural scientist and for his humble and tireless Sewa. His volunteerism for the cause of uplifting rural education was exemplary. He touched thousands of lives and enriched them with his reckon how many lives have been touched and enriched by his perseverance and Midas touch.

True to his name – Khem, which in Punjabi means happiness, bliss, one always found him cheerful and forward-thinking. He invariably greeted everyone with a beaming smile. An agricultural scientist of international repute, he dressed modestly donning a white turban and supporting a white flowing beard. One could easily take him as a saint.

Though none of his ancestors, either on the paternal side or on the maternal side had ever gone to school, Khem Singh stood first in his middle school examination. Sardar Sarwan Singh, Headmaster, Bhupindra High School, Moga, paid ten rupees from his pocket for his college admission. It was he who mentored him to join Khalsa College, Amritsar for pursuing higher studies in agricultural sciences. This snowballed into a huge contribution for the Green Revolution in India.

Dr Gill joined Punjab Agricultural University in 1962. He was selected for the Rockefeller Foundation fellowship for pursuing a doctorate degree from the University of California, Riverside Campus. He was the only Sikh student with unshorn hair and turban at the Campus and always got respect from everyone.

A dedicated Plant Breeder, Dr Gill developed more than 30 varieties of different field crops.

A dedicated Plant Breeder, Dr Gill developed more than 30 varieties of different field crops. These include 17 improved varieties of wheat, five high-yielding hybrids and composites of pearl millet, three varieties of linseed, two of sesame, one of barley and two of cluster bean. Of these, nine varieties of wheat and five of pearl millet were released at the national level. Most of these varieties were resistant to diseases like yellow rust, brown rust, Karnal bunt, ergot, etc.

As the team leader of Wheat Improvement Programme, Dr Khem Singh Gill did stupendous work on the development and identification of improved cultivars of wheat, which revolutionized wheat production. He joined as Vice-Chancellor of the Punjab Agricultural University in 1990 and played a key role in strengthening research facilities at the Regional Research Stations of the University.

Dr Gill was a Fellow of Third World Academy of Sciences, Italy; Indian Society of Agricultural Sciences; Indian National Science Academy; and so many other organisations of international repute.

‘Shabash-Shabash’ -Well done, were his favourite buzz words to encourage his fellow scientists. Anyone who showed him results, he invariably patted with a ‘Shabash’. According to his juniors, this used to be so inspiring that one would go back to work with an invigorated spirit.

Dr Gill was a Fellow of Third World Academy of Sciences, Italy; Indian Society of Agricultural Sciences; Indian National Science Academy; and so many other organisations of international repute. He was decorated with several awards including Padma Bhushan by the Government of India (1993), Rafi Ahmad Kidwai Memorial Prize in 1976, National Professor of Eminence (ICAR), Fellow, Indian National Science Academy, Team Research Award by ICAR, etc.

Dr Gill founded the Crop Improvement Society of India. He was also the President, Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding and Vice President of Indian Society of Genetics.

Dr Gill founded the Crop Improvement Society of India. He was also the President, Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding and Vice President of Indian Society of Genetics.

A widely travelled, noble soul with a multifarious persona, Dr Gill clad in his ubiquitous white turban, white kurta-pyjama, was, in fact, a Saint-Solider-Scientist. Through the Akal Academies under the Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib he started a value-based quality education in rural areas of northern India under the spiritual leadership of Baba Iqbal Singh.

The Punjab Agricultural University has published a biography of Dr Gill under the name ‘Path of a Legend,” which is deeply inspiring.

What more can I say, “There lived a man; Whose radiance lighted many lamps; A robe of glory; Thy benign countenance left a magnetic charm; Thy discoveries created a landmark; Long live thy glory!”

Sarabjeet Singh is Professor and Head, Department of Agri Journalism, Languages and Culture, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. He is an active unassuming social reformer and a powerful motivational speaker, He works for the empowerment of students and farmers across Punjab.