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A NAME TO RECKON WITH Multifaceted, multi-tasker and an indefatigable
zeal to serve the society. That’s Ajay Singh for you. Former Chairman
of National Bal Bhawan, an autonomous organisation of union HRD ministry,
Ajay Singh has shown in every sense that he has rightfully carried forward
the work and ideals of National Bal Bhawan’s first chairperson, Indira
Gandhi. Acting president of World Hindu Federation, he is also the president
of International Association of Mother India Clubs and Indo Global Chamber
of Commerce.
Son
of Late Bhuwaneshwar Singh, renowned colonizer and social worker and
Shobhawati Singh, he completed his schooling from Central Hindu School
and Queens College, Varanasi. After graduating in science from Banaras
Hindu University, he pursued MBA from Missouri and Diploma in Airlines
and Travel Management from Delhi and is married to Sneh Lata Singh.
FOR THE LOVE OF CHILDREN
‘As
Chairman of National Bal Bhawan, I undertook several projects. It was
important for me to revive the BaI Bhawan movement in the country and
take it to foreign shores as well. As a step in this regard, I worked
hard to establish the first international Bal Bhawan in Mauritius and
sent four teachers from National Bal Bhawan to Mauritius for 6 months
as ITEC experts,” relates Singh who also set up the Indian Children
Corner in Mongolia. His sincerity for his work has taken him to where
he is today. He regularly visited all the centres and branches of Bal
Bhawan in India and abroad to take stock of the situations. He adds
further, “After Indira Gandhi, the Bhawan was losing its identity and
I took it upon myself to ensure that the organisation continues its
mission. Initially I felt that working for the organisation would not
require meto do much, but I was wrong. There is so much work to do in
this field and I had a tremendous responsibility at hand. I put my heart
and soul in my work and tried to do as much productive work for the
children as possible.”
Ajay
Singh always ensured that no form of prejudice or discrimination affected
his work. So sincere was he towards his responsibility that he never
let his friends’ or relatives children reap any benefits from his post.
I was entrusted with a responsibility and authority, which I had to
carry out sincerely. Supporting children of friends and family, if they
were undeserving was something Ineveidid nor encouraged, he states.
CARRYING
THE WORLD ON HIS SHOULDERS
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It’s
not for nothing that Ajay Singh is an adept multitasker. Juggling diverse
roles, he successfully manages whatever task he has at hand. He was
the member of a committee formed by the World Cultural Council, Mexico,
to nominate scientists for the Albert Einstein World Award 2000 and
the Global Foundation for the Leonardo Da Vinci World Award of Arts
and Presentation. Singh also successfully organised a fortnight long
youth exchange and training programme in BHU which saw over 400 youths
from Bhutan, Tibet, Nepal, Mauritius, South Africa and Russia take part.
He sent a team of young Indians to Mauritius as part of the Youth Exchange
programme in 1998. The Union government at the time nominated him as
member of the selection committee for the National Youth Award in 1997.
In 1996 he established the International Association of Mother India
Clubs and took Festival of India to countries like South Africa, Trinidad
and Tobago and Surinam. The event organised in Mauritius in 2000 saw
the people enjoying the cultural week and Trade Fair. Over 150 Indian
artists, businessmen and journalists took part in the cultural event.
A globe-trotter, Ajay Singh has traveled extensively the world over.
But its his desire to see his country way ahead of developed nations
like America and China.
Singh
also delivered profound lectures on Indian culture, tradition, relations
with our neighbouring countries and other issues related to harmony
and brotherhood in various seminars held across the globe. And his expertise
and erudition does come across on such occasions. CAPFDA, an organisation
of intellectuals in South Africa honored him for his outstanding contributions
to the society.
Propagating
the ideals of the Hindu religion, he organised seminars of World Hindu
Federation in Durban, Raipur, Varanasi and Gorakhpur, which were attended
by delegates from over 35 countries. He worked as a special correspondent
for the weekly ‘Panchjanya’ for several years and authored a book ‘World
Hindu Conference at a Glance’. Singh also worked closely with Anita
Pratap, correspondent of Time Magazine, when she was in Varanasi, guiding
her and informing her about his city.
TAKING A LEAF OUT
An
avid reader, Ajay Singh enjoys reading books on socio-political issues
and international politics. He also loves to read about eminent world
personalities. He has great respect for Mahatma Gandhi and admires the
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela for their ideals
and convictions. ‘These men struggled all their lives for world peace
and harmony. Whatever His Holiness the Dalai Lama is doing for Tibet
and the Tibetan people and his non-violent ways to achieve peace and
freedom is unparalleled. I look up to Nelson Mandela for his commitment
towards his nation and people. Even at this age, Mandela is working
for the people of Africa. They truly are extraordinary men, “maintains
Singh. Ajay Singh’s father did a great deal for the development of Varanasi
and he wishes to follow in his father’s footsteps and continue with
his work.” I idolise my father and have learnt a lot from him.
Discipline
and ethics play a very important role in my life and I want to work
for society in whatever way I can and these are traits which I imbibed
from my father.’ His love for his city is apparent by the manner in
which he is zealously working to improve the conditions and solve the
problems faced by Varanasi.
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