Iqbal Singh (politician)

Dr. Iqbal Singh (born 4 June 1945) was the lieutenant governor of Puducherry, India. He took charge in July 2009.

Dr. Iqbal Singh was born in a Freedom Fighters family, to (late) Shri Lal Singh and (Late) Smt. Santokh Kaur. His Father, Late Shri. Lal Singh was present in Jallianwala Bagh, Amristar, Punjab, during the Massacre carried out by British, and it was by fortune that he survived the torment of British bullets on that fateful day. Shri. Baba Balwant Singh, Maternal Uncle, also a veteran freedom fighter, suffered imprisonment several times for raising voice against British Regime. Inheriting the spirit of patriotism, Dr. Iqbal Singh, has always endeavoured to work for the cause of National Integration.

He graduated in B.A. from Punjab University in 1969. Even during his college days, he took keen interest in Politics and took special interest in promotion of Hindi and Punjabi literature. He Represented Indian National Youth Congress in International Youth Festival, 1978 held at Cuba. He held the position of General Secretary of Punjab Youth Congress and played a pivotal role in bringing the youth of Punjab into the fold of the Congress Party. He is an accomplished businessman.

Dr. Iqbal Singh has the distinction of holding several significant positions in the Indian National Congress, including Secretary, All India Congress Committee for 12 continuous years and was an invitee to Congress Working Committee. As Member of Parliament of Rajya Sabha from 1992–98, he was the member of several important Committees, viz., Tourism, Steel, Scout and Raj Bhasha.

Dr. Iqbal Singh raised his voice for the welfare of downtrodden and children in the parliament and has the unique distinction of having attended all the days of Sittings during Parliament sessions without a single day’s absence. As Chairman of the Committee constituted by the Ministry of Shipping, he received cargo ships “MT Guru Gobind Singh” and “HULL 869” from Korea. He was the Chairman-cum-Secretary of the Transport Committee, for the Satyagraha Centenary Celebration held to spread the message of “Peace, Non-Violence and improvement of Gandhian Philosophy in 21st Century”.

He worked in close association with Sardar Beant Singh, the then Chief Minister of Punjab, to tackle the menace of terrorism and separatism that had gripped the State of Punjab for nearly twelve years.

He had published a book titled ‘Bhartiye Sanskriti Aur Kurukshetra’ in Hindi, which was released by Shri. Shankar Dayal Sharma, Former President of India. The book won accolades and awards. He has also published several articles on Social Reforms and Empowerment in leading dailies and magazines to his credit. He is the author of a book and several articles on the 10th Guru, Shri Guru Gobind Singh.

At the World Hindi Conference held at United Nations, he delivered the address to the learned gathering, and was also instrumental in introduction of application forms in Hindi in six Indian Embassies viz., United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, France Germany and Russia. He delivered lectures in many foreign countries as well as in various States of India to promote Hindi as “Raj Basha”. He attended and delivered lectures at International Punjabi Society conferences held in United Kingdom, United States of America and Canada.

Dr. Iqbal Singh, with his passion for literature, music and education, is Advisor for several leading Trusts and Educational Institutions. He is a trustee of “Bhai Vir Singh Sadhan”, which promotes Punjabi Sahitya. He was the Chief Patron of 125 year old Institution “Harballabh Sangeeth Maha Sabha”, which promotes classical music. He is also trustee of “K.L. Sehgal Memorial”. Fond of music composed by Shri Sehgal, he is ardent collector of his music compositions. He is also trustee of the leading group of educational Institution, “B.D. Arya Educational Institution”.

As a man of principles, he championed human values by organizing Anti Drug Campaigns and Blood Donation Camps. He organized marriages for girls from poor and downtrodden families. He has delivered several keynote talks in Visual media and Radio on important social issues. He was at the forefront in coming to the aid of Bihar flood victims by mobilizing sizeable aid for providing timely relief to the victims.

Seized of the global problem of “Climate Change” and “Global Warming”, he has been an active advocate of sustainable practices and has regularly conducted several environment programmes to drive home the importance of reducing emission of green house gases.

Dr. Iqbal Singh has been a sports enthusiast right from his school days and has been an active participant in many sports events. He is actively involved in promoting Sports, especially ‘Rural Sports’ at Panchayat level. He is also the Founder of ‘All India Surjit Hockey Tournament’ and is the Chairman of ‘Punjab Sports Welfare Society’.

He has been a globetrotter and has visited nearly 13 countries. His favourite pastime is Reading, Writing and Listening to Music.

Dr. Iqbal Singh has promoted the Hindi Sahitya and Punjabi Sahitya from school days by delivering lectures at various National & International Forum and by handing out books & pamphlets. He has been a consistent advocate of the ideology that “God is One” who transcends beyond religions.

In recognition of his contributions, Andhra University had conferred upon him the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) on 5 December 2009.