Dr. Jaswant Singh Neki – A Tribute

Dr. Jaswant Singh Neki

(27 August 1925 – 11 September 2015) 

JSNEKI

 

This conference is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Jaswant Singh Neki. He was slated to be a keynote speaker at this conference, but unfortunately he was taken ill and had to return to India, where he passed away on September 11th. He has been an inspiration and a supporter of these conferences and he participated as a speaker at the first conferences in 2012.

I had the privilege of knowing Dr. Neki for many years through his daughter Rahat and son-in-law Amarpal. A very devout Sikh who was extremely knowledgeable and deeply interested in the study of Sikhi, he was at the same time very liberal and progressive in his views. He was clearly brilliant but also very humble and possessed a great sense of humor. He was a wonderful conversationalist and I always found him to be very inspiring.

Dr. Neki was involved with the Chardi Kalaa Foundation since its founding in 1998 as the Chardi Kalaa Sikh Community Center. He joined us for some of our English language services at the center and was very supportive of the concept. More recently, he participated in our monthly Vichaar programs whenever he was here in the U.S. He led the discussion for two very inspiring Vichaar sessions on “Concept of Naam” and “Revelation in Sikhi”. The Chardi Kalaa Foundation has provided financial support for the Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, of which Dr. Neki was the Honorary General Secretary, and the Foundation has a seat on the Sadan’s board represented by S. Rawel Singh.

Dr. Neki devoted the last 50 years of his life to the Gurmat studies in addition to Award winning recognition in his professional life as Director PGI Chandigarh and as Head of Department of Psychiatry in All India Medical Institute, New Delhi. In the are area of religious and literary activities he had the rare distinction of being recognized by all the major relevant organizations.

As a poet he is best known for his poetry collections, Asle to Ohle Tak (Illusion and Reality, 1955) and autobiographical, Koi Naon Na Jane Mera (2000). n. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1979 for his work, ‘Karuna di Chhoh Ton Magron’ (The Compassionate Touch). His long autobiographical poem Simriti De Kiran Ton Pehlan (Before Shedding Memory) published in 1975, is considered masterpiece of Indian literature.

His works as a scholar of Sikhism include Ardaas: Darshan Roop Te Abhiyas which has been designated as an all time classic, Sada Vigas, Achetan di Leela , Divine Intimations, Prophet of Devotion and Pilgrimage to Hemkunt, spiritual heritage of Punjab, basking in the divine Presence; Jap sahib and many more. Two of his recent books that I have personally enjoyed and found very inspiring are Gurmat Manovigyan (Psychology according to Gurmat) and Haumai ton too hi val.

For several years, he has been a member of the Dharam Prachar Committee of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee. He was chairman of the Board of Consultants constituted by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee for setting up of an Institute of Medical Sciences. In 1989, he received the Kohli Memorial Award for being the Best Professional of the Year.

He will be sorely missed by all of us at the Chardi Kalaa Foundation and in the Sikh community, but we are grateful for the many years of support and friendship and will continue to benefit from his extensive writings and numerous public presentations.

Inder Mohan Singh, Chairman, Chardi Kalaa Foundation


                       

2 Comments

  1. Kirpal Singh on September 16, 2015 at 11:37 pm

    Dr. Neki was also Director of Guru Granth Sahib Research Center located in the premises of Gurduara Rakab Ganj with representations from Sahatiya Academy, various Universities and Sikh Institutions in Punjab and Delhi. I did attend one of its working session when I visited Delhi in 2009. This was when Sarna was President of DSGMC.

  2. Ajeet Singh Mac on October 22, 2016 at 7:15 am

    Dr Jaswant Singh Neki Jee has been a great GURMUKH of recent times . I was in communication with him since the year 2001. I was very fortunate to know him in detail only after I read his book on ”ARDAAS ” . I read it as a ”POTHI ” with great respect & reverence & took about 6 weeks to enjoy the bliss of reading it . Its reading was like getting an INJECTION of GURU’S LOVE .
    I suggest/recommend to all Sikh Gurudwara’s Managements spread all over the globe to keep a copy of this wonderful pothi ( delux edition) . A child must read it at least once before finishing his school life. If the youth misses to read it during school days , it is most important to read it with divine love & deep reverence to GURU NANAK JEE.

    It is the best POTHI sahib to a seeker of LOVE of BABA NANAK JEE. Its reading ensures that during ARDAAS part of daily program at Sri Darbar Sahib or on Sunday in USA /EUROPE , one gets connected to the super powers of LOVE of GURU GOBIND SINGH JE MAHARAJ. My website refers http://www.fleeky.one

    I feel deeply honored to offer my delayed 31 GUN salute of divine love & deep reverence to Dr J S Neki Jee for his noble contributions to Khalsa Panth .

    GURBANI confirms , ” GURMUKH LAAHAA LAI GAEYEY MANN MUKH MOOL GWAEYEY JEEO……”

    Waheguru jee ka KHALSA Waheguru jee ki FATEH

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