Sikh scholar Gurbhagat Singh passes away

Patiala, Punjab: Renowned Sikh scholar Dr Gurbhagat Singh passed away in the wee hours today morning in Delhi. He had suffered a stroke about a fortnight back and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Patiala from where he was shifted to Delhi. Dr Gurbhagat Singh, former Head of the English Department of Punjabi University, had written over 12 books on various subjects.

Dr Gurbhagat Singh was working on a translation of Guru Granth Sahib in English and had almost completed 75 per cent of the work.

Recalling Dr Gurbhagat Singh’s achievements, his student Dr Sarabjinder Singh, who is currently serving as the Head of Guru Granth Sahab Studies Department, Punjabi University, said he had never seen anyone more committed to his work than Dr Gurbhagat Singh.

He said the late professor’s translation of the Guru Granth Sahib would help spread the Sikh teachings in every nook and corner of the world.

“Even after his retirement, he would reach the university library at 8 am and will continue to work till 2.30 pm. He would then return to the library at 4.30 pm and work till 10 pm,” he said.

Dr Sarabjinder Singh said Dr Gurbhagat Singh was sympathetic towards the Sikh rebellion, but was pained to see it turn the activists become terrorists.

“He believed that people round the world should know more about Sikh history and the sacrifices made by the Sikh gurus,” said Prof Sarabjinder.

Meanwhile, the students and faculty of Government Mohindra College paid condolences on the demise of its alumnus Dr Gurbhagat Singh. College principal Dr Sukhbir Singh Thind said Dr Gurbhagat Singh was one of the state’s most celebrated authors with an illustrious literary career spanning several decades.

Source: The Tribune