Dr. Harbans Lal, popularly known as Bhai Sahib in the Sikh community, was honored by the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. This on its twenty-first convocation, the university honored Dr. Harbans Lal with two other distinguished guests, Justice Kuldip Singh, Judge, Supreme Court of India, and Dr S.K. Khanna, Head of Technology, Government of Indi Vice Chancellor, Dr. G.S, Randhawa, read a Jong and impressive citation of Dr. Lal’s aceom placements in science and education, and complemented Dr, Lal for his distinguished services in the promotion of Sikh studies and comparative theology both at the scholarly and at the grassroots level in North America. Lt, Gen. B. K. N. ‘Chhibber, Governor of Punjab andl Chancellor of the university conferred on Dr, Harbans Lal, the Degree of Doctor of Literature (honoris causa).

The hall resounded with applause when. Dr Lal wearing the Guru Nanak Dev University’s academic regalia accepted his honor and took his sea! in the front row beside the Governor and other elite on the stage, Following this ceremony, Dr. Lal pad homage to Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar, The Shromni Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee bestowed upon him the Siropa, thg Sikh Robe of honor, placed on him by the SGPC President, Sardar Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Among the Sikh leaders [present at the ceremony were, Sardar Manjit Singh Calcutta (SGPC Secretary), Akali leader Sardar Jagdev Singh ‘Talwandi, and Sardar Dilbir Singh of Chief Khalse Diwan and Khalsa College Amritsar. After the festivities in Amritsar, Bhai Harbans Lal visited Gurdwara Guru Gian Parkesh Jawandi Kalan where he was honored by the saropa given by Sant Baba Sucha Singh, Head of International Institute of Gurmat Studies and Convener of Sant Samaj, Additionally Bhai Harbans Lal was received with honor at the Institute of Christian Studies in Batala where he presented a seminar on the universal message of Sikhism.

Dr. Lal, Professor and Chairman, Department of Pharmacology, the University of North Texas Health Science Center and Director the Substance Abuse Institute of North Texas, is a graduate of Punjab University. He received a Master’s degree from the University of Kan48 and a Doctoral degree from the University of Chicago, in academic circles, he is known for his research in the areas. ‘of behavioral medicine, substance abuse, and on prolongation of health span. He ‘serves on many national and international advisory boards including National Institute of Health Study Section and for 1d years as the Editor of a monthly journal, Drug Development Research. During his academic career, he publishedover400 research papers, 26 books, several research reviews and 56 chapters in technical books.

Professor Lal, being a Sahjdhari Sikh, is known as Bhai Harbans Lal, since his school days, he has been interested in promotion of Sikh interests. In 1954, he ‘was elected as the President of the All India Sikh Students Federation. He was recognized by robes of honor by the ‘Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee, the Chief Khalsa Diwan, Sri Gura Singh Sabha Shatabi Committee, and the Sikh Educational Conference. Presently, his interests in promoting Sikh Studies in North America, His recent writings on Sikh issues have appeared in many Sikh journals such as Sikh Sansar, Sikh Review, Sikh Courier International, World Sikh News, Sikh Marg, Studies in Sikhism and Comparative Religion, From Both Sides of the Ocean, Miri Piri, Sach Khand Patraka, Sikh International, Spokesman, and Gurbani Is Jag Mch Chanan.

He serves on many religious and humanitarian organizations, He is a council member of the Center for World Thanksgiving Chapel and the American Project on Religion and the News Media, He is Founding President of the Academy of Gur a Granth Studies established for the promotion of scholarly work on the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Academy faculty is promoting development of gurbanilipi font and preparation of databases of Sikh scriptures. Gurbani in original Gurmukhi script along with roman version and English translation will soon be released on CD. Prepared for publication by: Kulwant Singh, M.D., Chester, VA.

Article extracted from this publication >>   June 9, 1995