Tarlochan Singh

Tarlochan Singh
File:Tarlochan-Singh.jpg
Member Rajya Sabha
Incumbent
Assumed office 1st August 2004
Chairman National Commission for Minorities
In office March 2003 – March 2006
Preceded by	Justice Mohd.Shameem
Succeeded by	Mr.Hamid Ansari
Vice-Chairman National Commission for Minorities
In office January 2000 – February 2003
Chairman Delhi Tourism
In office 1997–1999
Managing Director Delhi Tourism
In office 1987–1993
Press Secretary to President of India
In office 1983–1987
Personal details
Born	(1933-01-05) 5 January 1933 Dhudial, Punjab, British India
Political party	Independent
Spouse	Uttamjit Kaur
Children	Preety Chawla, Dr. Pawandeep Singh, Dr. Jyotika Kohli
Residence(s)	B-5 Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg, New Delhi
Alma mater	Panjab University, Chandigarh
Profession	Former Civil Servant,Civil Service, Public Relations (Tourism)

Tarlochan Singh (born 5 January 1933) is an Indian politician. He is a Member of the Parliament of India, representing Haryana in the Rajya Sabha. He served as Chairman National Commission for Minorities from 2003 to 2006 (Union Cabinet of India cabinet minister status), was Member, National Human Rights Commission of India, Govt. of India, 2003 to 2006. He Vice Chairman, National Commission for Minorities from 2000 to 2003 (Union Cabinet of India, State Minister Rank).

Childhood and education

Tarlochan Singh was born on 5 January 1933, to Shmt. Ram Piari and S. Balwant Singh in Dhudial, Punjab (now in Jhelum District, Pakistan). He is the eldest amongst three siblings. He did his early schooling in Khalsa School at Dhudial and then moved to Patiala at the time of Partition in 1947. The time after Partition was very difficult time for him and his family. For some time he had to work along with his studies. He went to the Panjab University, Chandigarh to study Economics and attained his master's degree in 1955. He is an alumni of Mohindra College of Patiala.

Early career

After completing his Master's Degree in Economics Mr. Singh started his civil service as Public Relations Officer in Punjab. He served as Joint Secretary, Development, Punjab Markfed from 1972 till 1977. Markfed is the largest cooperative organization in Asia. He then served as Jt. Director, Public Relations Deptt in 1977 and served in this position till 1980. He was Additional Director, Department of Tourism, Culture, Museum and Archaeology, Government of Punjab from 1980 to 1982. He served as Director, Publicity and Public Relations of IXth Asian Games Organising Committee, New Delhi from 1982-1983.

During his stint as Managing Director of Delhi Tourism he developed two of the Delhi's most popular tourist places: Dilli Haat and Hauz Khaz Tourist Complex, for which he won Pacific Asia Travel Association Gold awards.

Accomplishments

• As Chairman and Managing Director of the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation
  • Developed Hauz Khas Tourist Complex
  • Dilli Haat.
  • Started annual festivals in Delhi
    • Qutab Festival.
    • International Mango Festival.
    • Garden Festival.
• As the Additional Director, Department of Tourism, Culture, Museum and Government of Punjab.
  • Established the Guru Teg Bahadur Museum in Anandpur Shahib in 1978.
  • The Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum Amritsar in 1980.
  • Shaheed Bhagat Singh Museum in Khatkar Kalan in 1988.

Posts held

• Joint Secretary, Development, Punjab MARKFED (largest cooperative organization in Asia) (1970-77).
• Joint Director, Public Relations Department (1977-1980).
• Additional Director, Department of Tourism, Culture, Museum and Archaeology, Government of Punjab (1980-1982).
• Director, Publicity and Public Relations of IXth Asian Games Organising Committee, New Delhi (1982-1983).
• Press Secretary to President of India (1983-1987).
• Managing Director, Delhi Tourism Development Corporation (1987-1993).
• Advisor, Tourism, Government of India (1993-1994).
• Chairman, Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (1997-1999).
• Vice-Chairman, National Commission for Minorities (2000-2003).
• Member, National Commission on Population (2003-2005).
• Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, Government of India (with the status of Union Cabinet Minister) (2003-2006).
• Ex-Officio Member, National Human Rights Commission (2003-2006).
• Member Rajya Sabha (2004-Present)
  • Member, Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment Member, General Purposes Committee (August, 2004 to October 2006).
  • Member, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Civil Aviation (October 2004 - Present)
  • Member, Committee of Privileges (December, 2005 to August, 2006).
  • Member, Joint Parliamentary Committee on Food Management in Parliament House Complex (April 2006 - Present).
  • Member, Parliamentary Forum on Population and Public Health (May, 2006 - Present).
  • Member, Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice Member, Committee on Papers Laid on the Table (October, 2006 - Present).

Awards Won

• Pacific Asia Travel Association Gold awards.
• Conference on Women Welfare, London, 2006 Awarded.
• Asiad Vishisht Jyoti by the President of India, 1983.
• Indira Gandhi Award of Excellence.
• Best Punjabi Award by the Punjabi Association, Chennai.
• Special Award for promoting Punjabi Culture by the Government of Punjab.
• Award of Excellence by the 61st All India Sikh Education Conference from the Educational Committee Chief Khalsa Divan, Amritsar, October 2002.
• Punjabi Ratan Award by the World Punjabi Organization.
• Glory of Nation Award 'Fakhr-e-Mulk' in All India Conference for National Development on 21 December 2003 by the ISRF (India) MWS, 4U & TEVOR.
• Citation by County Executive State of New York, 2004 for exemplary services towards harmonious relations between India and the United States of America.
• Millennium Sikh Award by Shiromani Institute, Delhi.
• Goodwill Ambassador Award by International People Society.

Books Published

• Narian Tahia Itihas.
• Saajan Des Videshre

Sports, Clubs, Favourite Pastimes and Recreation

• Vice-President, Indian Olympic Association.
• Vice-President, Archery Association of India.
• Patron, World Punjabi Organization.
• Patron, International Punjabi Society.
• Member, Delhi Golf Club.
• Member, DDA Golf Club.
• Member, Delhi Race Club.

Personal life

Mr. Singh married Shmt. Uttamjit Kaur in 1959 and they have three children. His eldest daughter, Preety Chawla, is a Asst Professor in Gian Sagar Medical College, Banur, Punjab. She has also served as Vice Chairperson Womens Commission, Harayana. His son Dr. Pawandeep Singh Kohli is a Radiologist who practises in New Delhi. Dr. Kohli is an International Polo player who has represented India at numerous occasions. His youngest daughter Dr. Jyotika Kohli lives in London and practises medicine.

• Profile on Rajya Sabha website

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