As on May 1, 2008

Shri Vishan Dass Nagpal was born on 4th October, 1934, in village Gurmani, District Muzaffarnagar (now in Pakistan) in the family of Shri Sobhu Ram and Smt. Sita Devi.  After partition of the country in 1947, the family migrated to India and settled in Gohana, District Rohtak.

In 1951, Shri Vishan Dass cleared the matriculation examination.  Thereafter he got admission in Nilokheri Polytechnic for three-year Diploma in Electrical Engineering.  Since financial position of his parents was not sound and there were pressing needs at home, he was compelled to accept a junior post in the Electricity Department even after obtaining the aforesaid Diploma.  His seniors were much impressed by his hard work and honesty and this paid him dividend.  Soon thereafter, in 1954, he was appointed as Line Superintendent in P.W.D. Electricity Wing and was posted at Jalandhar. 

In 1957, Shri Vishan Dass got married to Shakuntla Devi.  In 1959, he was transferred to Hoshiarpur.  With the inspiration of Rev. Harbans Singh Chawla, he attained Brahm Gyan from Baba Avtar Singh Ji in April 1960.  In the meantime, he was shifted to Panipat.  In Panipat, there were primarily ladies in the Sadh Sangat.  He, therefore, felt shy of attending the Sadh Sangat in Panipat. 

It will be worthwhile to mention here that Rev. Amar Singh Ji of Patiala was very kind  to Shri Vishan Dass Nagpal.  With his persuasion, Shri Nagpal's parents, wife and younger brother also attained Brahm Gyan.  Sometime later Shahenshah Baba Avtar Singh Ji visited Panipat along with Bhai Sahib Amar Singh Ji.  Rev. Mata Meera, Parmukh of Panipat, prayed before Shahenshah Ji to bless Shri Nagpal so that he may start attending the Sadh Satngat at Panipat.  Shri Nagpal narrated to Baba Ji the reason for not attending the Sangat.  Shahenshah Baba Avtar Singh Ji impressed upon him to attend Sadh Sangat as a Sewadar and serve the Sadh Sangat by laying carpets, arranging drinking water and by being at the main entrance point at the venue of Sadh Sangat with a lathi along with his colleague Sewadars.  Indeed this proved to be a turning point in his life.  He was always on duty in Sadh Sangat as a Sewadar.  Soon a number of men also attained Brahm Gyan making, the Sangat of Panipat a blend of men and women devotees.

In 1963, on his promotion as Junior Engineer (Class II), Shri Vishan Dass was transferred to Amloh, Distt. Patiala.  There, the atmosphere was not very congenial.  He was frightened by his colleagues who told him that nobody had stayed for long at Amloh and most of them who had stayed had been placed under suspension.  Accompanied by Bhai Sahib Amar Singh Ji, he approached Baba Avtar Singh Ji and prayed that he should get transferred to some other suitable station.  Baba Avtar Singh Ji advised him to stay at Amloh saying that only a true saint could change the vicious atmosphere.  This proved to be a boon for him and he continued to stay at Amloh for six years (1963-69.  During this period, he took keen interest in Sadh Sangats of Khanna, Gobindgarh, Sirhind and Bassi Pathanan etc. and attended Sadh Sangats there.  He was designated as Shikshak in the Sewa Dal Unit, Khanna.

Shri Vishan Dass Nagpal was assigned the duty of making arrangement for the first training camp (Parshikshan Camp) for Sewa Dal Units of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh which was held at Khanna.   Upon successful completion of the camp, he received many blessings and encouragements from the Sewa Dal Adhikaris.  During the period 1969-71, he was posted near Patiala and enjoyed the blessings of Rev. Amar Singh Ji.

In the Annual Nirankari Sant Samagam held at Delhi in 1970, he was blessed with permission to impart Brahm Gyan.

In 1971, on his promotion as Sub-Divisional Officer, Shri Vishan Dass Nagpal was posted at Muktsar.  Bhai Sahib Amar Singh Ji desired to retain him at Patiala, but Satguru Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji advised him to move to Muktsar and stay at Satsang Bhawan there to serve the Mission.  He was entrusted with the duty of Sanchalak of Sewa Dal Unit Muktsar, as desired by local Mahapurshas, Sanchalak of the unit, Shri S.S. Virk and Shikshak, Shri Sohan Lal Ji.  In 1972, it was decided to hold Samagam at Muktsar with the blessings of Satguru Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji and Rev. Rajmata Ji. A large procession was taken out on this occasion which was unique in itself and left an indelible impression on the residents of Muktsar.   The selfless services of Shri Nagpal rendered during this Samagam, would always be remembered.

At the instance and initiative of Shri Vishan Das Nagpal, the third Parshikshan Camp of Sewa Dal was decided to be held at Muktsar.  The Mukhya Sanchalak, Sewa Dal, commended his services with an Appreciation Certificate putting on record his intelligence and able administrative skills.  Good wishes were also conveyed in this certificate for his prosperity in life and for his continued devotion to Satguru.  In the year 1976, when it was decided to introduce Regional System in Sewa Dal, he was honoured with the assignment of duty of Kshetriya Sanchalak of Muktsar Kshetra.  With the grace and blessings of Satguru Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji and as per his directions from time to time, he accompanied by Giani Joginder Singh Ji and Shri Hukam Parkash Ji of Moga toured tirelessly almost every village of Muktsar Kshetra and spread the ideals of the Mission. Satguru Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji was much delighted with his selfless services and said in his discourse that “May be in Government record, Kot-Kapura, Muktsar etc. fall in the list of backward category areas, but from Nirankari point of view and in Nirankari Universe, it is a forward looking area”.

In December 1981, the life partner of Shri Vishan Dass Nagpal Ji, Smt. Shakuntala Devi left for heavenly abode and merged into Nirankar.  At that time, both of his sons were studying in College.  As such, in the absence of his wife his domestic responsibilities increased manifold.  He faced many ups and downs in life but faced them with courage and calmness with the blessings of his Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji.  In those days, Punjab was devoid of peace and was in a state of utter turmoil.  He and his sons received threats to their lives.  Despite being fully aware of this situation, he carried out his duties towards the Mission’s cause with the kindness and blessings of Baba Hardev Singh Ji.  In 1986, he was transferred to Patiala.  But owing to his increasing domestic responsibilities, he decided to seek premature retirement.

In March 1987, a special meeting of General Body of Sant Nirankari Mandal was held in Delhi.  This meeting was presided over by Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji.  In this meeting, it was decided to designate Shri Vishan Dass Nagpal as Up Mukhya Sanchalak of Sewa Dal (Administration) at Headquarters.  In 1987, he took premature retirement and as per the wishes of Baba Hardev Singh Ji, he reached Mussoorie and was assigned the duty of administration of Mussoorie Bhawan during summer season.  In April 1997, he was made Member of the Executive Committee of the Sant Nirankari Mandal and was given the charge of Construction and Maintenance of Satsang Bhawans. He introduced several changes/improvements in the Construction/maintenance of Satsang Bhawans about which everyone in the Nirankari Mission is well aware.  In 1999, Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj entrusted him the additional responsibility of looking after the administration of Branches of Sant Nirankari Mandal in Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat.  From May 1, 2008, however, relinquished the administration of branches in Goa and took over the branches in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, along with the construction and maintenance of Satsang Bhawans and other buildings of the Mission in the country, of course.

Shri Vishan Dass Nagpal is ever ready to do selfless service and carry out the directions of Satguru from time to time with devotion.  His services as such are exemplary and he continues to perform them even today.  He prays to Satguru to grant him strength to remain a true and trustworthy devotee.

* * * * * * *