Remembering Dr. T.D. Singh
- A silent hero from Manipur who spoke only 'Peace' to the world

Jayanti Ranganathan Chavan *

Sripada Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaja ( Dr Thoudam Damodara Singh (TD Singh) ) :: Pix - Roshni Thokchom

Dr. Thoudam Damodara Singh popularly known as His Holiness Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami Srila Sripada was endorsed as a pioneer in the field of Science and Religion Interface by eminent scientists and saints of the world. For three decades he interacted with world leaders as a scientist, as a saint, as a philosopher, as an educationist, as a writer, as a singer, a poet, an instrumentalist and a cultural & peace ambassador. Dr. T.D Singh was a true inspiration not just for peace lovers, but also for renowned intellectuals and youths. He impressed upon them, how a combination of saint and scientist can bring perfection in life.

He witnessed and experienced layers of disturbances during most part of his life since his childhood days, still he was not disillusioned about life. Facing challenges at every phase, instead of protesting against destiny, he perceived every situation thoughtfully, expressed gratitude to God, practiced humaneness in demanding circumstances, worked very hard after taking appropriate guidance and blessings from his teachers/guardian and his revered guru Srila Prabhupada, and finally he became an accomplished scientist and saint and was recognized as one of the most outstanding pillars in Science-Spirituality interface dialogue for World Peace.

With a clear vision of uniting Science and Religion, he invested his life for a higher cause and took up the challenging responsibility to synthesize both the domains to promote world peace. To this end, he felt the need to create a platform for mutual dialogue among scientists, academicians and religious leaders to facilitate opportunity to learn from each other and thereby broaden their respective views on varied subjects relevant to mankind.

He worked wholeheartedly to promote world peace through multifarious actions. As the director of Bhaktivedanta Institute (www.binstitute.org), he organized major International conferences bringing together the best minds of science and spiritual traditions; organized seminars, commenced the annual Science and Spiritual Quest conference series in India for students; and initiated discussions and dialogue sessions with some of the best minds of our time including many Nobel Laureates in Science and Peace, as well as notable statesmen and opinion leaders of the world and authored more than a dozen books.

He also launched the University of Bhagavata Culture in Imphal, Manipur for promoting education with human excellence and values through Manipur art and culture tradition; started several schools in North East India and guided thousands of students towards a nobler purpose of life; and was one of the founding members of the United Religions Initiative (URI), a world-wide body committed to inter-religious harmony and peace through societal development. His work knew no bounds.

Through his 'Intellectual Humility' he could win the hearts of top scientists and opinion leaders through constructive (non-argumental) open-minded dialogue and could organize large conferences with bare minimum resources.

Here we recall an episode at a nanotechnology conference in June 2004 at Mumbai. Dr. Singh was one of the invited speakers and he was not completely familiar with the theme of the conference. As he began his talk he expressed his ignorance on this new growing field with utter humility. Normally had it been any other speaker in his place, who is also not familiar with subject, he or she would have spoken something superficial at surface level to impress the august audience.

But here was Dr. T.D. Singh who praised the achievements of the scientists in this field. Then gradually he opened up and cautioned them with some risk factors, especially in the area of ethics, roles and responsibilities. So he was honest here about his strength where he can opine his views in relation with Peace. He termed them as Nano ethics and expressed his concerns for the following:
a) Concerns related to Patents: Threats from copying of new products by competitors.
b) Increase in use of technology in defense/weapons.
c) Misuse of technology by some individuals with vested interests.
d) Fear that Nano robots designs will make copies of themselves & wipe out the entire biosphere.

He arrived at the point that any new area when explored must be evaluated or studied from all angles systematically for its pros and cons. Although ignorant of the subject, with humility and wisdom, he won the minds and hearts of scientists who participated in the conference.

The heartfelt tributes to Dr. Singh by renowned Nobel Laureates speak volumes about former's noble qualities.

Here we recall one tribute by Sir Richard Ernst, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry:
"Dr. T. D. Singh represents for me a perfect role model how and in particular academics should think, feel and behave. He has bridged the gaps between science and philosophy and between different schools of thought. He showed us what true humanness is; he showed to us what wisdom and compassion really mean. Let us keep his spirit alive, let's not forget him as a role model and improve our own being"

During his final phase, Dr. Singh also set a precedent by leading a Peace March after he was injured during the Bomb blast on August 16th 2006 at Imphal Manipur.

Today as we navigate his journey which began in the midst of World War II to terrorism with calamities and achievements sandwiched between them, what enthralled us was the qualities like excellence and humanness which Dr. Singh sustained throughout his life. As he rose in life, he received scholarships, global recognition and honour, but he never got disconnected from his humble Manipur roots and could thus carry them along gracefully without becoming victims of pride, arrogance and greed.

Today, Dr. Singh's works can be appreciated very much especially when we delve deeper into the present age of Science and Technology. Technology is growing so rapidly beyond the growth of human's maturity to discriminate former's use and misuse. It was observed that while he lived, through a moment's association one would experience a change in heart.

Although physically not amongst us today, still the shining lamp of Dr. Singh's exemplary life as a Peace Ambassador will glow forever.

(The above article is abridged from a case study on Dr. T.D. Singh by the author and published in 2016-ET Cases by Times of India group.)