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Ludhiana Personality :: S. Raja Singh
In Aug. 1947 when Indians were reveling in their newfound freedom, Raja Singh (then a small boy) was rendered homeless by the partition. The experience was traumatic and the future hazy. The hapless child, however, did not let the circumstances cow him down. He started working at a vegetables shop for sustenance. "No job is ever mean. It is only our attitude towards a job that is mean" he philosophies.
All S. Raja Singh, had then, was a dream of bouncing back into life. He was low on cash but he had the vision to fuel his ambitions. His dynamism saw him venture into the world of electronics as a manufacturer of radios and transistors in 1956. The products received an overwhelming response in the market. This emboldened him to diversify his business and he launched T.V brands by the names of Texla, Beltek and Bestavision, which went on to become household names. He attributes the popularity of his products to "quality control and right pricing."
S. Raja Singh's initial success in the field of electronics ignited his enterprising instincts and he decided to venture into pastures anew. Taking risks is in his day's menu. Deprived of formal schooling he resolved to establish educational institutions. His vision and commitment brought the GRD Academies at Dehradun and Ludhiana into existence. Another Academy at Gurgaon waits to be inaugurated in the near future. At Ludhiana people advised him against making the GRD a Day-boarding school because of its "limited appeal and alien concept." He persisted with his plans and the institution became synonymous with success. "if you do something different" he believes" it gives you a sense of achievement and the risk is fun."
S. Raja Singh is firmly rooted to the ground realities of life. A listener and learner he believes that nobody can be a visionary without being a learner first. "I listen and learn from the Principals to the Peons" he proclaims. Always open to suggestions he opines that every opinion matters. It is this easy accessibility and his ability to communicate with the lowest man in his organizations that makes him understand the intricacies of his venture besides winning him the love and loyalty of his employees. He is one person who can walk with kings but not lose the common touch.
Immaculately clad in his white salwar kameez S. Raja Singh considers himself a trustee of the God. Each time he finds himself disillusioned he shifts the onus on the almighty for not making him arrive at solutions to his problems. As he grew in stature the philanthropist in him made itself manifest. Dashmesh Gurmat Vidyalayas at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab and Bala Sahib Road, Jeevan Nagar, New Delhi are orphanages managed by his trust. As Chairman he provides food, shelter and clothing and thus helps resuscitate hope in the lives of many poor and under privileged. One would expect such a God-fearing man to be thick in rituals."I can't read" he confesses honestly "so I've never gone through the scripture." Work, for him, is worship.
For a man with no formal education S. Raja Singh is compelled to prove his worth through work. It is through his work that he wants to come to terms with the complications and hardships of life. Working is a therapy and it is in working that he finds satisfaction, even solace. His day starts quite early at 3 a.m. " It is this habit of rising early" he announces with elan "that gives me a competitive edge over others." Ablutions over, his Pajero becomes for him "the office on wheels" as it heads him for his date with the day.
Recognition came to him in the form of many an award that he received. The elevation of Giani Zail Singh to the post of the President of India gave him much to rejoice. "Zail Singh was my friend, philosopher and confidant" he reminisces his association with immense fondness, " and it was he who laid the foundation stones of our numerous projects and even inaugurated them." S. Raja Singh's charismatic appeal brought him close to the powers that be." The letters from the Whitehouse, I.K. Gujral, A.B. Vajpayee, L.K. Advani" he says with pride "adorn and enrich my personal collection."
It has no doubt been a phenomenal rise for the boy from the village Hil situated on the banks of Jhelum in district Mirpur (now in Pakistan occupied Kashmir). Is it time for retirement? 'No' comes the prompt reply as he quotes Iqbal's famous Urdu couplet with a twinkle in his eye,"Sitaron key aagye jahaan aur bhi hain. Abhi ishq ke imtehaan aur bhi hain." He is planning of enlarging his role as promoter of more educational institutions to cater to the growing needs of students wanting to opt for medical, engineering, management and computer courses.
On the personal front his wife and S. Raja Singh are content to see their family tree handsomely grow; life-storms, borne together are behind them. They are proud parents to three sons and a daughter. The couple sees, in them, worthy heirs capable of continuing the mission.
In S. Raja Singh you see a drive to rise to dizzy-heights. His life is a vindication of what a determined person can achieve against extraordinary odds. His goals are clear and he thrives on risks. "There is no glory" he believes "without guts." Maybe you should take a tip from the man. Look where it's got him!
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