I am touched that you reached out for asking me to write about my life. I don’t believe I have any qualities which can influence the younger generation.
Interestingly, my daughter has also been telling me to write my autobiography and I have been ignoring her request as I am not a writer – moreover it is time consuming and I am trying to imbibe the invaluable dhan of Naam, which our Guruji says will go with after I leave this mortal body. I do not know where one goes after death.
From childhood, some thoughts have been shared by my parents, elder brothers and sisters. I have a large family. I have been told that our family is linked with S Himat Singh ji one of Panj Piaras (the Five Beloved Ones) of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji. My uncle S Awtar Singh ji, who was the Chief Architect of Gurudwara Sahib in Bidar had also given me a list of names of my ancestors, which unfortunately has been misplaced.
Dr Hari Singh, descendant of S Himat Singh Ji was born on 16.3.1935 to Mata Kartar Kaur Pita at Dunera near Dalhousie, in Gurdaspur district of the Punjab. However, the date of birth as per records is 1.5.1935. It was Bakrid on that day.
Early Years
My childhood was spent at Dunera in Bagi. I then went to Dalhousie followed by Gujarat (now in west Pakistan) and then to Bathinda in the Punjab. From their my journey continued to Tola Tek Singh, in Lyallpur (now in Pakistan). From classes 4th to 9th, I was in Jawali, Tehsil Nurpur, District Kangra, in Himachal Pradesh.
I was a naughty kid and used to bunk school. My elder sister gave me a big slap which changed my behaviour and from then I never missed my classes.
In 1947, Lalaji (my grandfather) came over to Jawali with other members of the family. While doing sewa of my grandfather and my parents, I started reciting the Gurbani and would wake up at Amrit vela, recite the Japji Sahib, and sang Rehras in the evening with all family members and sakhis along with my mother. She led me to Amrit chakna at Akal Takhat at the age of 11, with my elder sister Kuldip Kaur.
After becoming a Fellow of Secondary Education (FSC) from the DAV College situated in Jullundur Punjab, I joined Medical College Amritsar. After completing my MBBS, I went to Rajindra Hospital and Government Medical College in Patiala and completed my Residency. There I took up a job as a casualty medical officer.
Growing Up
I thereafter met my sweetheart Surinder, and joined the Armed Forces medical services as a Flying Officer and completed my Doctorate of Medicine (MD). This was followed by an advanced medicine course at AFMC Poona and military training course at AMC Centre Lucknow. My son Inderpreet was born in 1962 and daughter in 1964.
During 1965 Indo-Pak War, I suffered casualties in Military Hospital Jullundur. During that period, we were armed with pistols after bombardment by Pakistan Air Force. At the same time, I was looking after patients in the hospital. We won the war and went to Ichhogil Canal to see the Paton tanks which were captured by our army. Amongst the casualties I had an opportunity to treat our Director General Medical Services General BDP Rao who had a very slow pulse and we could revive him with only atropine and steroids. A pacemaker was not available that time.
While I was posted in A.F. Station Kalaikunda, my father died in 1964. We initially had a large family comprising of eight sisters and five brothers. Sadly, I lost three brothers over the years thereafter. My elder brother ran a Chemist Shop in Kamla Nagar in Delhi and was very proud of me. He advised me to continue serving the Air Force and promised to take care of family commitments. Two sisters of ours were yet to be married but my brother had a sudden heart attack and died in 1967. Now the responsibility of looking after my widowed bhabi (sister-in-law), their three young children, and my ailing mother fell on me.
I resigned from my permanent commission although Air Marshal Arjan Singh, then Chief of Air Force asked me to take it back (as he was very happy with me because I had treated his father-in-law). My batchmates rose up to the ranks of Lt Gen and Air Marshals, but I had to move on.
Thereafter, I was offered a job by my Air Force Commandant to look after Air Marshal Arjan Singh’s father-in-law in Golf Links. During that time my mother had passed away and I was looking for accommodation to start my practice. I had an accommodation in Greater Kailash but when my wife went to the place with our baggage, the landlord refused to let her in. Eventually, she sought help from Sir and Lady Sobha Singh (Lady Sobha Singh and my mother-in-law were real sisters). While appreciating my dedication as a doctor in treating Air Marshal Arjan Singh’s father-in-law, who was related to Sir Sobha Singh, he kindly offered me a flat in Sujan Singh Park on rent in 1968, which was a great relief to me and I started my service here. My parents-in-law supported us by staying there and looked after our children.
Ups and Downs
In 1979, my wife developed cancer and I developed angina pain in my heart. Our friends and relatives insisted that we should go to Sloan Kettering, New York for her treatment and Dr Trehan, Sr Cardiac Surgeon asked me to come over to New York for an angiography. I discussed with my wife and sent her medical report to Sloan Kettering and they suggested to continue treatment in India. I got my angiography done at AIIMS in 1980. A blockage was detected in my arteries, but with Naam simran and medication, I became better.
While practicing as a doctor in Delhi Sir Sobha Singh and family helped me a lot and I become their family physician.
My wife died in 1990. Till her last breath, she continued serving as Chief Medical Officer and hardly took leave. Asking Waheguru to settle her children, and reciting the Japji Sahib, her wish was granted.
Then, in 1998, my only son who was a gastroenterologist died, leaving his young widow and two small grandsons aged 3 and 9. My friend, Ragi Bhai Avtar Singh embraced me and said, “Doctor Sahib thannu bete di yaad sataegi us waqat Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru da jaap shuru kar den, te man shant ho jayega. (start chanting waheguru’s name when you remember your son and you will feel better!)” For a few months I took antidepressants but soon settled down.
An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. So, I stopped thinking back and started working again.
Life at 90
I wake up at 3 am every morning. Then I go for a bath and practice yoga followed by a walk for half an hour. At 5 am, I listen to Kirtan and spend amrit vela with S Bhatgwant Singh Dalaawarji at Gurudwara Sujan Singh Park. Then from 6.30 to 7.45 am I go to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.
This is followed by a power nap upto 9.30.
I run a charitable clinic on every Tuesday at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.
Tuesday evening, Wednesday evening and Friday morning I visit the Guru Nanak Charitable Polyclinic, at Gurdwara Sujan Singh Park.
On Thursdays, from 9 am to 12 noon I visit a dispensary at Sainik Farms and from 12.30 to 3.30 pm, I go to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Vidya Kendra at Chattarpur Gurdwara. From 4 to 6 pm, I go to Gurdwara Saket.
Dinnertime is at 8 pm every day and I read before sleeping at 10pm.
Every day there is naam simran and sehej path without fail.
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday are my rest days but I meet patients on a need basis, in case of a medical emergency.
My only advice to the youth is to acquire value-based education and practiceNaam simran according to their belief. Staying healthy with regular yoga practice, watching one’s diet and avoiding addictions are important. And above all, meditate on the divine power whilst respecting elders, in order to have a good life.
Nishaan I/2025