Prof. (Dr.) Jang Bahadur Singh has had an exceptional and inspiring journey, marked by dedication to education, research, and family. Born in 1945 in Kashmir, he is the son of a respected Agriculture Officer in the then Government of Jammu and Kashmir. Tragically, his father was martyred during the events of October 1947, leaving his mother to raise him and his siblings alone. Despite the hardships, she ensured that Prof. Singh received a quality education, and as he grew older, he took on the responsibility of supporting his younger siblings in their academic and professional pursuits.

He began his education in his local village school, followed by St. Joseph’s School in Baramulla. He later pursued his higher education at the historic SP College in Srinagar. Simultaneously, he worked as a horticulturist and agriculturist, being one of the first to introduce a tractor in Kashmir in the late 1960s. After gaining teaching experience, Prof. Singh completed his Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Kashmir. His thesis, titled “Ecological Analysis of Yus Forests,” involved extensive field research in the Himalayan and Pir Panjal forests of Kashmir, marking the beginning of his career as a prominent researcher and educator. Following his Ph.D., Prof. Singh co-authored the book Forest Flora of Pir Panjal Range (Northwestern Himalaya) with his Ph.D. guide, Professor P. Kachroo. His work, which was based on years of field research, was presented at numerous scientific conferences, including the annual Indian Science Congress, Osmania University, and the Steepland Agriculture in the Humid Tropics conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. These contributions have made him a well-regarded figure in the field of Botany.

His teaching career spanned several colleges in Baramulla, Srinagar, and Kargil. His longest tenure was at the Government Degree College in Baramulla, where he progressed from lecturer to full professor and eventually became the principal. Additionally, Prof. Singh worked internationally as a visiting scientist and consultant in West Asia, further expanding his professional expertise. Throughout his career, he was also a dedicated family man. Alongside his wife, a successful medical specialist, he ensured their two children received a solid educational foundation, instilling in them values and ambition. Both children completed their master’s degrees at the University of Oxford. Prof. Singh’s love for travel has taken him across Europe, West Asia, and Southeast Asia, both for professional conferences and personal family trips. In addition to his academic achievements, Prof. Singh has been an avid horticulturist, particularly in apple, pear, almond, and walnut cultivation. After retiring, he devoted himself entirely to horticulture, experimenting with new and resilient fruit varieties through innovative grafting techniques.

His passion for farming is evident in his hands-on approach to tending trees and crops, a practice that has served as a source of inspiration for his children, students, and community. Currently, he is working on a new venture with his wife to develop apple-based consumer products under their family-owned brand name, combining his expertise in Botany with his lifelong dedication to horticulture. His journey continues to inspire many in the fields of education, research, and agriculture. Moreover, let me acknowledge the best guidance of my beloved uncles, namely Lt. Bhai Harbans Singh ji and Bhai Mahisher singh ji, for which i am indebted the most.

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