Sardar Atma Singh

Sardar Atma Singh was an Indian politician of the Shiromani Akali Dal party and the former Development Minister of Punjab, India.

Early life

Sardar Atma Singh was born in the village of Sheikwala in the district of Sheikpura on 28 January 1912. He is one of six children born to Sardar Thanda Singh and Bibi Pal kaur. Although he had only graduated from high school he was able to attain the title of gyani. A Gyani or Giani is an honorific Sikh title used by someone learned in the Sikh religion and who often leads the congregation in prayers, such as Ardas, or in singing (kirtan). He married Bibi Tej kaur and had two daughters, Bibi Surjit Kaur and Bibi Upinderjit Kaur. Bibi Surjit Kaur was the Former District Education Officer of the Punjab Department of Economics. Dr. Bibi Upinderjit Kaur (M.A PhD) was a former professor of Economics at Punjab University. She became a member of Punjabi Legislative in 1997, 2002, and 2007. She became cabinet minister in SAD-BAP government in 1997, and 2007 while holding Portfolios OF Finance and Education, Urban Development, Technical Education, Tourism, Industrial training, and cultural affairs.

Political career

Atma Singh was a former Cabinet Minister in Punjab and a prominent veteran Akali Dal Leader. Also, a social and religious group activist. He contested elections in 1952 and 1954 for Pepsu Assembly and for Punjab Vidhan SaBha nine times and won seven times from 1952 onwards to 1985. He was declared best Parliamentarian of Punjab Vidhan SaBha. He had won the elections in 1954 while he was in jail.

The constituency in Punjab Vidha Sasha which was flood-ravaged. He was instrumental in getting Dhussi Bandh (embankment) to construct alongside River Ber to protect the area from floods. He also undertook the overall development of the region and facilitated widespread prosperity, infrastructure, and development. He made a major contribution in the field of education by establishing two schools: Nandbana Sahib Public High School and Sri Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary Public School in the Sultanpur Lodhi in his early fifties. He was also founding President of Guru Nanak Khalsa College at Sultanpur Lodhi, which was established in 1969 the education (Bandra) Bombay in 1937 in close collaboration with Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. He regarded education and skill formation the most effective tools for the upliftment and empowerment of the downtrodden and the disadvantaged.