On July 31, 2000, the Sant Nirankari Mission lost the pioneer of its media approach - Jiwan Singh Chugh. As an ardent crusader, he continued to spread the Mission’s message of Truth, Love and Peace through mass media till the last breath of his life. Ever since he became a Secretary of the Sant Nirankari Mandal in October 1979, he held the charge of the Press and Public Relations Department till he left for his eternal abode. In addition, he was responsible for liaison with the Railways. 

Born on April 17, 1921 in village Chhatta, Distt. Jhang, Rev. Chugh did his Matriculation in 1940 from DAV High School, Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan). It was in Rawalpindi that he lost his father in 1937. He got employment in a military unit as a civilian supervisor in July 1940, at the outbreak of the Second World War. In 1944, he graduated from Panjab University, Lahore. The family migrated to Delhi in September 1947.  Within two months, Rev. Chugh got the post of Assistant in the Ministry of Defence in November 1947 as a result of his success in the competition for the grade. He devoted the entire career to the Ministry of Defence where by remarkable proficiency and honest hard-work he rose through the ranks. He was holding the position of Deputy Secretary when he retired in April 1979.

Rev. J.S. Chugh joined the Mission with the blessings of his mother Smt. Ram Bai who was among its fervent disciples since 1944. Rev. Chugh, however, received Brahm Gyan in December 1950 in Delhi for which the then President of the Sant Nirankari Mandal, Pradhan Labh Singh Ji, had to make a lot of persuasive effort. He, however, never looked back thereafter and was always at the beck and call of the then Head of the Mission, Baba Avtar Singh Ji. He was mostly interested in administrative work and was called upon to handle matters connected with government. 

During Annual Nirankari Sant Samagams in Delhi, Rev. Chugh would take keen interest in preparations, particularly in the liaison work with authorities.  He was a member of the Samagam Sanchalan Committee since 1954. His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj had extended his nomination even for the 53^rd Samagam to he held some time in November 2000.

So far as the media approach of the Mission is concerned, Rev. Chugh can safely be described as its architect. Even though he did not possess an academic qualification in journalism, his command of English language and aptitude for news and views compensated the requirement more than adequately. It was through his efforts that a news item was published about the Mission for the first time in 1957. This was followed by a small despatch over All India Radio in 1959.  It was really a great achievement when in 1962 the Films Division of the Government of India included some footage related to the Mission in the Indian News Review (INR), which was then shown in the cinema halls before Feature Films throughout the country.

During Baba Avtar Singh Ji’s time the quantum of the Mission’s publicity over mass media was rather modest. However, according to Rev. Chugh himself, Baba Ji did not mind because he was convinced that truth takes time to reveal itself. By the time Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji came, the Media had already started taking interest in the Mission’s ideology and the way of life it offered to its followers.  This encouraged Rev. Chugh also and he made a proposal in the historic Mussoorie Conference of 1973 that the Mission should have a formal approach towards the Media.  Ever since, the efforts have been made to seek greater and greater cooperation from the Media.  His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj also believes that we must keep the masses informed about the Mission’s message to avoided doubts what-so-ever brooded by ignorance.

The journey was long and the path uneven, but Rev. Chugh was able to attract a number of talented and devoted disciples of the Mission to join him. With their co-operation and help, he was able to expand the media effort and infuse it with the requisite element of quality also. Consequently, press releases started being issued on every important occasion, particularly during Samagams. Many times newsmen were invited so that they could see for themselves what the Mission wanted to convey to the world.  In fact, the stress on human unity, peace and universal brotherhood attracted the media to focus more and more on the Mission’s message. 

With the advent of Satellite TV Channels, the Mission faced a serious challenge in the field of mass communication.   However, with Baba Ji’s benign blessings, Rev. Chugh and his colleagues rose to the occasion and the Mission’s message was beamed over electronic media also. Siti Channel, ANI and Zee TV telecast our cassettes based on Baba Ji’s discourses, which were viewed by millions across the globe. 

Our own studio was also strengthened. With Baba Ji’s kind blessings, more and more equipment was acquired.   As a result, the Nirankari Studio could produce and edit its own video cassettes, which were telecast over various channels, particularly the cable networks.  Rev. Chugh started distributing VHS cassettes to cable operators almost throughout the country through the local Mahapurshas also. 

Sometime in 1994-95, Rev. Chugh organized small teams of his colleagues to maintain regular liaison with specific newspapers, magazines, news agencies and electronic media.  The scheme was quite successful.  In 1996, it was extended to other zones and the Press Teams were organized at important centers with media concentration. By the thime Rev. Chugh left for his eternal abode, the country had 42 Press Teams actively working outside Delhi.  More active members of these teams were issued Press Cards to facilitate their entry into newspaper offices, etc.

In June 1997, the Press and PR Department organized an All-India Nirankari Press Meet in Mussoorie, for which the entire credit should go to Rev. Chugh.  About 50 representatives of different Press Teams came from all over India to participate.   The conference was blessed by His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj. The second such meet was also scheduled in Mussoorie on June 29 and 30, 2000, but the same had to be deferred because of Rev. Chugh’s ill health.

In short, the story of the Mission’s projection over print media and electronic networks is the story of Rev. Jiwan Singh Chugh’s association with it, his faith and devotion, his selfless service. Whatever magnificent edifice of mass communication the coming generations build for this great Mission of universal brotherhood, they would never be able to forget the formidable foundations laid for the same by the Media Magnate of the Mission - Jiwan Singh Chugh.