CHANDIGARH: S.Balbir Singh was an unparalleled personality with virtues of an able educationist, scholar, competent politician, administrator and above all a true humanitarian. He revolutionized the educational set up of the region during his 35 year-tenure as the President of the Governing Council of Lyallpur Khalsa College. It was his ideology that proved to be an inspiration leading to Lyallpur Khalsa College achieving new heights and thus becoming today’s premier center of education. S. Balbir Singh was the first educationist to realize the importance and potential of Computer Science education in the whole region. Under his leadership, the college management not only widened its contribution to the educational set up of the region with the establishment of new institutes but also created new landmarks in terms of attaining all-round development of its students. He ensured student participation in Sports, Cultural and co-curricular activities in addition to academics. Such encouragement has led to the college students attaining regular distinctions and merit positions every year in the university rankings. The college has lifted the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar’s Teja Singh Samundari overall Sports Trophy for record 24 times whilst also winning top honors of 3 Overall trophies and three runners-up finishes in the University Youth Festivals and producing a large number of talented individuals in the cultural field along the way.
As a Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister, S. Balbir Singh worked tirelessly for his responsibilities towards the educational and political needs of the region. He was an integral part of the Punjab Government (1972-1977) where he successfully performed his duties as the Cabinet Minister of Health and Social Welfare while also initiating many new schemes for the benefit of the masses. After serving his state with such dedication, he then stepped up to the national level with his Rajya Sabha membership from 1992 to 1998 and his emphatic selection to Lok Sabha in 1999 up to 2004. He is also very fondly remembered by Indians living abroad who always felt closely connected to him as the Patron of the NRI Sabha from the year 2005 to 2008. As the Chairman of the Amateur Kabbadi Federation of India from 1994-1998, he is also globally known and appreciated for his efforts regarding the traditional Punjabi Sport of Kabbadi and the current international level recognition enjoyed by Kabbadi owes its roots to the foundations laid by S. Balbir Singh.
As the President of College Governing Council, he duly raised his voice for the colleges of the region and took up their issues and problems to the Government. His entire life and way of living were based on exemplary and setting examples for others to follow. He successfully launched Lyallpur Khalsa Institutions imparting quality education in the fields of Law, Education and technical education through a collegiate school, Degree college and B.Ed College among others. Under the similarly visionary guidance of Sardarni Balbir Kaur, President, College Governing Council, the management has inaugurated a brand new multi faceted college at Urban Estate, Kapurthala to cater to the growing educational needs of the region in addition to the Technical and Engineering College, Jalandhar.
5th December marks the birth anniversary of S. Balbir Singh and the college organizes its Annual Alumni Meet on the same day every year to remember and celebrate the tremendous contribution of its former president, leader and above all, its most celebrated former student, S. Balbir Singh. The occasion also aims to invite and reconnect all the former students of the college who have contributed to the college being now recognized as the premier educational institution of the country. Keeping up this tradition, on 5th December 2019 (Thursday) a multi-faceted program on the occasion of ‘Annual S. Balbir Singh Alumni Meet’ will be held in the college campus from 5 pm onwards. All the former students of the college are warmly invited to be part of this momentous occasion. The college proudly remembers and commemorates S. Balbir Singh and his invaluable contribution through this occasion of Alumni Meet.