Person
Dr Varinderpal Singh
Ludhiana soil scientist who refused a national award on stage on 8 December 2020 in support of the farmers' protest; chairman of the Atam Pargas Social Welfare Council.
Dr Varinderpal Singh is a soil scientist from Ludhiana who made national news on 8 December 2020, when he declined an award on stage in Delhi in support of the farmers' protest. The Atam Pargas Social Welfare Council lists him as its chairman, with the title Ex-Principal Soil Scientist, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.
Key moments
- His work: as principal soil chemist at PAU he developed the PAU Leaf Colour Chart, which helps farmers use urea more efficiently and which, he said, could save more than Rs 750 crore (The Tribune).
- 8 December 2020: at the Fertiliser Association of India's ceremony in Delhi he was due to receive its Golden Jubilee Award for plant-nutrition research from the Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers. He had been invited on 6 November. On stage he declined it, saying he could not accept an award while farmers were on the roads, and handed the minister a letter addressed to the Prime Minister.
- The letter and his words: he wrote that he was heartbroken at the plight of farmers, said he was writing as an Indian devoted to farmers' welfare, and said "I am son of a farmer". He said it pained him when protesting farmers were called "terrorists", and that he would be guilty if he accepted the award. He also wrote to the PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr B.S. Dhillon, asking him to return his Padma Shri in support of the farmers (The Tribune).
- Atam Pargas: a registered charitable and educational body in Ludhiana whose stated aim is to help schools develop students as "Truthful Human Beings" through moral education, books, workshops and teacher training, and which also works to cut chemical use in farming. Its website credits Dr Varinderpal Singh as the author of its playway books and of the Jeeveey Gurbani Naal series used in schools, and lists a PAU leaf colour chart awareness campaign among its activities.
The views above are his own, as reported by The Tribune.
What he is remembered for. The refusal on stage in December 2020, which was widely reported, and the PAU Leaf Colour Chart.
Sources
- It pains when farmers termed 'terrorists', says agri scientist who refused to accept award from Union Minister (9 to 10 December 2020), The Tribune. tribuneindia.com
- Listened to my conscience: PAU soil scientist who refused to accept award from Union Minister (9 December 2020), The Tribune. tribuneindia.com
- Board of Management, Atam Pargas Social Welfare Council. atampargas.org
- Atam Pargas Social Welfare Council (home page: aims, publications, activities), Atam Pargas Social Welfare Council. atampargas.org