Tarlochan Singh: A Personality Dedicated to Minorities, Religion, Society and Culture
Chandigarh: Former Member of Parliament (MP) and former Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, S. Tarlochan Singh, will be conferred the inaugural Dr. Ratan Singh Jaggi Memorial Award at a ceremony being organized by the Punjab Arts Council, Chandigarh, in collaboration with the Padma Shri Dr. Ratan Singh Jaggi Memorial Foundation. The award carries a cash prize of ₹51,000 along with a shawl and a commemorative memento.
The inaugural ceremony for the Dr. Ratan Singh Jaggi Memorial Award and the opening of the Dr. Ratan Singh Jaggi Open Air Theatre will be held on July 27 at 5:30 p.m. at Punjab Kala Bhawan, Sector 16, Chandigarh. Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan will preside over the function as the chief guest.
S. Tarlochan Singh is widely recognized for his lifelong dedication to the causes of minorities, religion, society and culture. Through his hard work, visionary leadership, impartial administration and commitment to public service, he has earned a distinguished place in India.
Despite enduring the trauma of the Partition during his childhood, he did not lose heart. Instead, he made education, public service and social commitment the guiding principles of his life. After pursuing higher studies in economics, he entered public service, where he discharged every responsibility with honesty and dedication throughout his long administrative and public career.
S. Tarlochan Singh served in several key positions in the Punjab Government, including the Departments of Information & Public Relations and Tourism & Cultural Affairs. His public service extended from the Office of the Chief Minister of Punjab to the Office of the President of India. As Vice-Chairman and later Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, he made significant contributions to safeguarding the rights of minorities, promoting communal harmony and strengthening constitutional values.
He also served as a Member of the Rajya Sabha, where he effectively raised numerous issues of public interest. Although he was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Haryana, during his six-year tenure he consistently spoke up for the rights and concerns of Sikhs and Punjabis living across the world. He remained a steadfast advocate for minority rights, the Punjabi language, Sikh heritage, national unity and social justice.
S. Tarlochan Singh also served as Vice President of the Indian Olympic Association, where he played an important role in promoting sports. Besides serving as a member of Indian contingents at the Olympics, Asian and Commonwealth Games, he also played a major role in the successful hosting of the Asian and Commonwealth Games in India.
In recognition of his distinguished public service, the Government of India honoured S. Tarlochan Singh with the Padma Bhushan in 2021.
