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As on May 1, 2008
Born in a small village
Rambha in Karnal district (now Haryana) in India on 18th December,
1936 in an orthodox Brahmin family, Jag Datt son of Pandit Shiv
Kumar and Shrimati Shanti Devi grew up into a forceful exponent of
Nirankari Mission’s principles and philosophy. By his dedication to
Satguru coupled with his untiring efforts for propagation of Brahma
Gyan or divine knowledge, he has come to acquire a place for himself
in the Nirankari world. At present he is a Member of the Executive
Committee of the Sant Nirankari Mandal at Delhi. He is Member
Incharge of Public Relations and Internal Security departments.
Jag Datt lost his mother
at the age of 5. Nevertheless, his father Shiv Kumar showered
unbounded love and affection upon the child. At village Taraori Jag
Datt passed the 8th standard. From a nearby town Nilokheri he did
his Matriculation. Back to his native village Rambha, young Jag Datt
settled down to farming which he found quite interesting.
Jag Datt’s elder
brother, however, did not approve farming for his career. He wished
to see him a well educated person. So much against the wishes of his
father Jag Datt joined Dayal Singh College at Karnal. For this, he
had to cycle 10 kms daily. By about this time the artist within him
also awakened and he enthusiastically participated in the village
Ramlila playing the role of Lord Rama for four years. This earned
him fame and the village folk even revered him as Rama. He also
staged some social plays like Haqueekat Rai and Harish Chandra.
After Independence, Jag
Datt came under the influence of a communist friend of his brother
and turned atheist. His father and brother persuaded him to marry
but he was obsessed with the desire to become a film-star. In his
efforts to be a cine actor he was cheated by many people and in
consequence he suffered huge financial losses. Finally, bowing to
the wishes of his father and brother he was bound in wedlock with
Maya. With the solemnization of marriage his ambition to become a
film-star was shattered.
During Indo-Chinese war
in 1962, the Government of India recruited some Emergency
Commissioned Officers in the Army. Jug Dutt also applied, qualified
and joined the Army.
While an Adjutant in the
Indian Army Jag Datt met Maj. Karam Singh of Medical Corps. The
young officer had written a poem titled ''Realisation” containing
the description of his having seen the goddess Durga. He read out
the poem to the Major who asked him if he could meet mother Durga.
At this he closed his eyes and pronounced that the mother had come.
Major Singh asked him to open the eyes. The imaginary mother Durga
disappeared. Maj. Singh explained that God is absolute, omnipresent
and imperishable. He felt unhappy as he had hitherto been
worshipping an imaginary deity and he turned to atheism once again.
On 22nd August, 1973,
the day being Krishna Janamashtami, Jag Datt’s invited Major Karam
Singh to his house on tea. In turn the Major also invited the young
officer to Raj Rifle Centre Delhi for dinner. After the dinner
Major Singh asked, “Do you want to see God?” ”Yes” was the
instantaneous reply. Mrs. Sharma who accompanied him also echoed her
husband’s tone. The event proved a “watershed” in the couple’s life.
They were blessed with divine knowledge (Brahma Gyan) by Rev. Jagan
Nath Ji of Moti Bagh, Delhi, who was also present at the dinner.
Formless God was, thus, perceived at once who so far was hidden due
to ignorance.
God realization gave a
new meaning to Jag Datt Sharma’s life. He was in complete communion
with the Almighty and enjoyed the bliss. Till then he had not heard
of Sant Nirankari Mission and its Head, Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji. He
wrote a poem in praise of the True Master Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji in
which he extolled his spiritual acumen.
At the first
congregation which he attended in the presence of His Holiness Baba
Gurbachan Singh Ji, he was invited by Rev. Ram Saran, another great
saint of the Mission to speak. In response, he expressed his
feelings in a poem stressing upon the negation of the Self.
In the wake of the
Amritsar episode in 1978 the saints staged a Dharna (sit-in strike)
in front of the Prime Minister’s House. The leading English/Hindi
dailies carried J.D. Sharma's photograph in uniform on the front
page. At that time he was serving in Central Industrial Security
Force (CISF) where he had joined after completing his tenure in the
Army in 1970. His participation in the protest saw him transferred
to the IPCL, Baroda as part of disciplinary action. However,
Satguru’s blessings posted him back to Delhi shortly afterwards.
After 1980, Jag Datt
Sharma was privileged to serve His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji
Maharaj who has been his saviour throughout like Baba Gurbachan
Singh Ji. Miracle after miracle in Major J.D. Sharma’s life led
him to believe every word of Verse 62 of Avtar Bani reading “SATGUR
HUNDA JAG DA DATA JO CHAHE IH KAR SAKDA EY” meaning the True Master
is capable of doing whatever he may wish.
In 1983, Major Sharma
suffered a massive heart attack. He was admitted in the hospital
immediately because of his critical condition but he did not oblige
the doctors for operation till he sought Satguru’s blessings. He
reached Baba Ji and prostrating he said,” I do not have money to
serve you except this body which is also on the verge of withering.
Aap Ji Dasso Main Tuhade Kol Aa Ke Ki Khateya (Pray tell me,what
have I earned after coming to you)” His Holiness’s serene but
blissful reply was “Tainu Kuj Nahin Hoya” – Nothing has happened to
you. Thereafter Maj. Sharma did not go back to the doctor for
cardiac problem.
In 1994-95, however,
Major Sharma was admitted in the Wellington Hospital Delhi for a
surgical operation for Hernia. This required clearance from
Cardiology Department who advised immediate by-pass surgery as his
three main arteries were completely blocked. The doctor said another
heart attack could cause instant death. However, the medical advice
was overlooked for nearly two years.
In the first week of
December, 1996 at a dinner hosted by Vivek Shauq to commemorate the
engagement of Holy Sister Samta Ji. Major Sharma enjoyed the mouth
watering delicious and spicy dishes to his heart’s fill. Next
morning, while on a walk with His Holiness in the Avtar Park, he
fell down. At this Baba Ji himself arranged for and ensured
essential first aid. Later, His Holiness was present in the hospital
while by-pass surgery was being conducted.
In 1987 Major J.D.
Sharma was privileged to visit UK, Austria, Germany, Spain and
Denmark to spread the message of Truth. In 1993-94, he revisited
Europe on a salvation tour. In the year 2000 he got an opportunity
to accompany His Holiness on a salvation tour of Middle East
countries - Bahrain, Doha and Dubai. Next year in 2001 he visited
Italy, Austria, France, and Germany joining His Holiness in England.
In August-September, 2002 he had yet another opportunity to
accompany His Holiness on the world Salvation tour. Life is still
progressing at a rapid pace. He is still in the service of the Lord
Master who is striving hard day and night to dispel the ignorance
from the globe through divine knowledge.
Major J.D. Sharma had
the privilege to accompany His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj
on world salvation tour in 2003 covering Holland, Spain, England,
America Canada and Austria. His Holiness tried to globalize the
message of Truth for the salvation of mankind. Major Sharma
participated in congregations in practically all cities of England,
Austria, Germany and Italy.
Major J.D. Sharma
becomes a Member of the Working Committee of the Sant Nirankari
Mandal on April 1, 2004. The same day he was made a Member of the
Executive Committee and saddled with the responsibility of Public
Relations as well as Internal Security. From May 1, 2008, however,
Major Sharma relinquished the charge of Internal Security (Security
and Wireless) which was taken over by Brig (Retd) P.S. Cheema.
As Member In-charge
Public Relations Rev. Sharma held a series of meetings besides
organizing PR teams in various parts of the country e.g. Bangalore,
Chennai, Agra, Mumbai, Indore, Bhopal, Nagpur, Shimla, Dehra Dun,
Chandigarh and Ludhiana. Under his stewardship the department has
been organizing congregations in jails infusing patriotic and
spiritual spirit in the prisoners. He rendered counseling service to
cancer patients on 23.12.2006 which was equally appreciated by the
organizers and the patients. Further he was responsible for
organizing a seminar on Universalism and Peaceful Co-existence on
4.10.2006 in the benign presence of His Holiness in Sri Satya Sai
International Centre, New Delhi, which was admired at home and
abroad. The seminar proceedings were telecast on Aastha TV
Channel, Earlier at the 8th World Environment Congress held in
Himachal Pradesh on 15th August, 2006, Major Sharma successfully
brought home the message of Truth by emphasizing upon the
distinguished assembly the need for watering the roots than
watering the leaves and branches.
Major Sharma has
established very cordial relations with the management of LIFE
POSITIVE magazine and has been participating in their Life Expo
functions for the past two years. He also organized a
congregation/stall at India Habitat Centre which was visited by His
Holiness Satguru Baba Ji and Pujya Mata Ji. Visitors to the stall
were appreciative of the efforts made in bringing home to the people
the message of Truth. Major Sharma was also awarded Manav Seva
Prerna Award by Physically Handicapped Welfare Association which he
received on behalf of the Mission at a function held at India
International Centre Delhi. At the India International Trade Fair,
Nirankari Mission’s Stall was adjudged the “Best” in its Sector. He
is currently engaged in infusing the spirit of universalism and
peaceful co-existence by organizing seminars and contact programmes
in educational institutions and elsewhere.
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