A scientist and mentor of mentors

Gursharan Singh

Gursharan Singh

The news of Prof Darshan Singh Brar’s death shocked me and took me down memory lane when I was a PhD scholar at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. He was elder to me by about 13 years and an Assistant Professor doing some challenging research in the area of crop improvement. Students’ Home in the heart of the campus was where we would usually meet for evening tea. While I would work in my lab in the entomology department, he and his team would be engaged in the plant breeding lab. He was soft-spoken, a good listener, wonderful explainer of the scientific ifs and buts, and a source of inspiration and motivation for students and colleagues. I do not recall any instance when he criticised anyone. He had the ability to get the best out of everyone.

He was humble, too. One day, while I was busy in routine work at the Dean’s office, my PA sought my permission for him to see me. I was surprised why a professor of his calibre and stature did not just barge into my office. I touched his feet and ushered him in. His simplicity touched everyone around him.

He was the epitome of selflessness and believed in giving. After joining the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, the first thing he did for his alma mater was to donate money to institute an award for postgraduate students of the PAU. And after superannuation from his service there, he started rendering his services in the capacity of an adjunct professor at the PAU without any remuneration. Not only this, his key role to run Gurdev Singh Khush Foundation shall always be remembered. He had been a colleague of Dr Khush, who evolved a large number of paddy varieties grown throughout the world, was popularly known as ‘Paddy Daddy’ and was also the recipient of the prestigious World Food Prize.

Prof Brar’s colleagues at the IRRI paid him a moving tribute, saying how he refused an enhancement in his emoluments. I was to join others in paying my last respects to him at his village near Jaitu Mandi, but this was not to be. The well-appreciated advice from his family members in view of the coronavirus outbreak deprived all of us of this opportunity. It does not matter whether we could make it to his antim ardas, the professor is always with us — survived by his students and colleagues. Indeed, he was a mentor of mentors; humility, simplicity, ingenuity and integrity personified. A scientist never dies but remains immortal because of his work.

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