Collecting ‘many Firsts’ Of Sikh Community

nimana · February 10, 2005

Collecting ‘many firsts’ of Sikh community is Prithipal’s passion

Pawan Kumar

This man has a unique passion. Mr Prithipal Singh Tuli (65), a retired bank manager, is interested in collecting news clippings and pictures of Sikhs who created history by making world records in different fields.

A man with a mission to highlight achievements of Sikhs among the younger generation, the retired bank manager has made large computer prints of clippings that he displays in exhibitions to draw attention to the rich achievements of the Sikh community.

Mr Tuli claims that in some fields like sports and science, Sikhs have surpassed others. Citing examples, he says that the first three world record holder pilots who landed and took-off from the world’s highest air fields were Sikhs. On May 24, 1948, Air Commander Baba Mehar Singh landed Decota Aircraft on the world’s highest Kachi Air Strip in Ladakh and flew Decota at the height of 24,000 feet, which was otherwise capable of flight up to the height of 12,000 feet.

Wing Commander Sadhu Singh Gill landed AN-12 Aircraft for the 1261st time at Leh, forming a record of maximum number of landings carried out by a military pilot in the world on the highest operational airfield. Group Captain Tajinder Pal Singh Chhatwal set a world record in July 1984 by landing a helicopter 42 times in a day on Siachen, world’s highest battlefield and got his name registered in the Guinness Book of World Records.

He claimed that the second Indian scholar after Swami Vivekananda (1893), who became president of the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago (1971), was a Sikh — Dr Sher Singh Sher. Dr Sher was awarded Padam Shri in March 1982.

The first Indian conqueror of Mount Everest from the Chinese side was Mr Mohinder Singh, who created history by climbing the peak in May 1996.

Mr Tuli claims that the father of fibre optics was a Sikh — Dr Narinder Singh Kapani. Mr Gurcharan Singh Randhawa was the first and only Indian to hold four national records in high jump, javelin throw, 110-metre hurdles and decathlon. He received president’s police medal and Arjun Award in 1961.

“Mr Milkha Singh, the only gold medal winner from India at the British Commonwealth Games, was a Sikh. Gulab Singh, alias ‘Golden’, who won 41 golds, six silver and three bronze medals in international veteran athletics was the first and only Indian to have won 50 international medals. He set four world records in international veteran athletic games,” explained Mr Tuli.

It took Mr Tuli over 45 years to collect the clippings. It involved extensive travelling and investment, he says. After retirement, he started to devote all his time to create awareness among youth about historic achievements of the Sikhs. He wanted Sikh organisations to come forward to preserve the invaluable knowledge about the community. He said it would enthuse them to do something for the sake of the country and the Sikh community.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041118/aplus.htm