Chandigarh/ May 11/Daljeet Ajnoha : A solemn and heartfelt Shardhanjali Sabha (memorial prayer meeting) was held on Sunday, May 11, at Dev Samaj Bhavan, Sector 36, Chandigarh, in revered memory of Shriman Nirmal Singh Ji Dhillon, Chairman of Dev Samaj College of Education and Secretary of The Dev Samaj. The gathering witnessed a wide array of distinguished guests from religious, educational, judicial, civil, police, and social sectors. High-ranking officials from multiple states, including members of the judiciary and civil services, were also present to pay homage to the departed soul.
A deeply emotional tribute was paid by Dr. Agnese Dhillon, the daughter of Shriman Nirmal Singh Ji Dhillon and the present Secretary of Dev Samaj. She fondly recalled her father’s extraordinary contributions to the mission of Most Worshipful Bhagwan Dev Atma, and his unwavering commitment to value-based education, moral upliftment, and human welfare. Speaking on behalf of the entire Dev Samaj fraternity and its institutions, she expressed profound gratitude and reverence for his lifelong dedication.
Shriman Nirmal Singh Ji Dhillon carried forward the sacred legacy of Bhagwan Dev Atma, the founder of Dev Samaj (established in 1887). He passionately upheld Dev Samaj’s core principle of fostering harmonious relationships across the four kingdoms – inanimate, plant, animal, and human – while promoting altruistic values like compassion, reverence, and gratitude.
As Secretary of Dev Samaj, he provided visionary leadership to 22 educational institutions across India. Under his guidance, Dev Samaj College of Education, Chandigarh, emerged as a pioneer in women’s education. It became the first institution in North India to receive recognition from NCTE in 1997 and achieved a Four-Star rating from NAAC in 2002. In its second and third accreditation cycles (2010 and 2017), the college earned prestigious ‘A’ grades. Additionally, under his chairmanship, Dev Samaj College for Women, Chandigarh was awarded an A+ grade, and Dev Samaj College, Ferozepur, received an A grade, marking significant milestones in academic excellence.
The Shardhanjali Sabha was graced by many eminent personalities, including:
Leader of Opposition, Punjab Shri Pratap Singh Bajwa, BJP leader Shri Fateh Jang Singh Bajwa, Honorary Secretary of Khalsa College and University Shri Rajinder Mohan Singh Chinna, Vice Chancellor of Khalsa University, Amritsar, Dr. Mehal Singhl, Director, Higher Education Punjab, Shri Rabinder Singh Brar,
Senators of Panjab University,
along with senior members from the judiciary, civil administration, and police departments.
The atmosphere throughout the event was filled with solemn reflection and deep emotional remembrance. All speakers paid heartfelt tributes to the noble life and enduring contributions of Shriman Nirmal Singh Ji Dhillon. His legacy of moral values, spiritual dedication, and educational excellence will continue to inspire the Dev Samaj fraternity and the broader educational community across the nation.
