Gurbachan Singh - A Multidimensional Vision

A Multidimensional Vision

Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji had his own peculiar style of working. While people spend a long time in framing detailed plans and projects, He believed in prompt implementation also. That is why he was able to turn the apparently impossible looking into the possible. A little ahead of the Sant Nirankari Colony, the Mission had a large piece of wasteland. In 1965, when the country was facing a severe shortage of food grains, Baba Ji thought of contributing his mite in this direction by bringing the said wasteland under cultivation.

The poor and arid condition of the soil did not, however, permit its cultivation. According to all the neighbouring cultivators, accumulated salinity had rendered it unfit for cultivation. The experts of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi too considered the land unproductive. This seemed to be the general consensus, but undeterred by such pessimistic verdicts, the enterprising and innovative Baba Ji took up the challenge.

A little away from the land in question, the Government had set up a Water Treatment plant. The effluent from this plant made the surrounding area quite unhygienic. Baba Ji chalked out a project to divert the effluent to this barren land. Thousands of devotees worked day and night for digging a long drain to divert the flow of this effluent from the plant to this land. In due course, the wasteland was transformed into a lush green field. The neighbouring farmers were amazed.

The officials of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute too were wonder-struck when invited to see the wasteland yield a rich crop. They remarked that it was indeed a miracle. Baba Ji, however, said that even an impossible task could be accomplished, given dedication, firm faith and hard work. Incidentally, the following year was proclaimed as the year of "Green Revolution". The land in question topped in production of food grains in the area.

Likewise, keeping in view the scarcity of petrol facing the country, Baba Ji with a knack for innovation, converted the petrol engines of the Mission's vehicles into diesel ones. Interestingly, the entire work was done in the Mission's own workshop under Baba Ji's supervision and guidance. All this was a message to the world that hard work and sincerity of purpose was the master key to achievement.

Though not a qualified architect or engineer, Baba Ji himself conceived and designed the plans of the Bhawans. This is a testimony to his being genius. The imposing hall at the first floor of the Nirankari Satsang Bhawan in Sant Nirankari Colony, Delhi, is an example of his architectural skill. Dispensaries and schools were also set up along with various Bhawans. Buildings of two Senior Secondary Schools in Delhi and a Degree College at Sohna, Distt. Gurgaon, Haryana were also constructed as per Baba Ji's plans. Baba Ji took keen interest in homeopathy also.