Library, hospital soon in memory of Dr Gill

Tribune News Service

Moga, September 27

A library, a hospital and a memorial gate will be constructed in the memory of Dr Khem Singh Gill, former Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), at Kaleke, his native in Moga district. He passed away on September 17 this year.

Dr Gill was an internationally renowned scholar, scientist and philanthropist. He was the recipient of India’s prestigious Padma Bhusan award. A religious function was organised in the Akal Academy at Kaleke village to pay tributes to the departed soul followed by the bhog of Akhand Path Sahib. At his bhog, many scholars as well as local people paid tributes to him.

The Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Harpreet Singh, sent his ‘shok shandesh’ (condolence message) to Giani Dilbagh Singh who read it out for the gathering.

Baghapurana MLA Darshan Singh Brar remembered Dr Gill’s services for Punjab and its neighbouring states for spearheading the green revolution. It was during Dr Gill’s tenure as the PAU VC that Punjab was popularly known as the food basket of the country, the MLA said.

Dr Davinder Singh, secretary of the Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib, stressed upon the need to learn from the life of Dr Gill and adopt his honest and humble way of simple living.

The family of Dr Gill, who is in Canada, announced to construct a hospital, library and memorial in his memory. They provided an initial amount of Rs13 lakh to start these projects while promising that regular installments of funds would be sent till the projects were completed at the local level.

Dr Gill’s family also donated five acres of land for the Akal Academy at Kaleke village.