The Man Who Built a Legacy for Posterity

Dr. Dalip Singh Gill has been described as “a dreamer…a man of vision who has dedicated decades to establishing what is now a proud educational institution of educational excellence...” (Hon. Mike de Jong in 2009).  Mrs. Susan Penner, the Inspector of Independent Schools at the time, echoed these sentiments when she called him a “man of vision, integrity, and purpose, committed to students and learning.”  MP Ed Fast reiterated the significance of this far-sighted man’s larger contribution to society when he said:  “…he was instrumental in forging new bridges of learning and understanding with other educational communities in Abbotsford… (he) understood perhaps better than most the value of combining a formal education with the preservation of one’s cultural identity...we all owe (him) a profound debt of gratitude.”

All these three significant Canadians grasped the true measure of this remarkable man who came to Canada after leaving his own well-established life to start anew from scratch, so he could one day fill that void that was so closely connected with the lives of the children of immigrants from his homeland. Dr. Dalip Singh Gill is what you would call a courageous pioneer in the field of education. He took up a challenge, at that time in his life when most men would not have been so altruistic, when the lesser amongst us would have been daunted by the sheer uncertainty of what lay ahead. However, because of the nature of this indomitable man, this was a challenge he couldn’t resist, as it matched his ideals of where true riches lie- in the right kind of education for our children. He officially became the founding principal of Dasmesh Punjabi School (DPS) in Abbotsford in May 1985, and the rest is history, as they say. 

Dalip Singh Gill was born on January 10, 1928 in a family of agriculturalists  that lived in a small village called Nathu Wala Jadid in Moga District, Punjab. In this area he did not have many opportunities for education, but because of his thirst for it even as a child, and with his parents’ unflinching support, he managed to complete matriculation by attending four different, distantly located schools.  At Bhupindra Khalsa High School in Moga, where he passed his matriculation exams, his headmaster, deeply impressed  with his passion for learning, appointed him as an elementary teacher while he was a mere teenager of 16, at one of its sister schools.

Dalip Singh Gill longed for higher education still, and two years later he left for Lahore, the capital of Punjab Province then, for his university studies. During the daytime he worked as a clerk in the Punjab Civil Supplies Department, and in the evening, attended college for his higher education.  An accident of history, however, aborted his B.A. studies here in 1947. The Partition of India riots compelled him to flee for refuge back to his home side, where his education continued.

Following the completion of his B.A. and B.T. degrees, he joined the Department of Education. In 1954, he was promoted to the post of Headmaster and worked as the head of his institution for 11 consecutive years.  Subsequently, because of his exemplary record, he continued to climb the ladder of educational leadership as a Gazetted PES Class 2 Officer: from principal of a senior secondary school, he rose to Deputy District Education Officer, then reached one of the top rungs of the ladder by becoming District Education Officer in 1973. He served in this capacity in various districts in Punjab for the next 10 years.

His quest for education insatiable throughout his life, Dr. Dalip Singh Gill combined studies, work, and family responsibilities, the latter with his wife’s unflinching support, and attained an impressive string of three masters degrees, namely, M.A. in Punjabi in 1953 from Punjab University, followed by M.A. in Political Science from the same university, then M.A. in Education from Himachal Pradesh University, Simla. In 1986, he sought the pinnacle of education and research by registering for a Ph.D (thesis: Political Philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji) at the Department of Sikh Studies at Punjab University, but this was abandoned because of the call of duty and mission that took him to a totally different part of the world- Canada.

Dalip Singh Gill’s first visit to Canada was in 1982 for social reasons.  Even then his keen antennae sought out the educational landscape here, and he was greatly impressed by the multicultural climate in both public and independent schools. His focus fell on the situation of languages taught here: English and French were given prominence as the two official languages of Canadians, and other heritage languages such as Spanish, German, Italian and Japanese also had pride of place as second languages in schools. But Punjabi? There was no official recognition, although some early immigrant community leaders were seriously thinking of separate Punjabi language education during the weekend for their children in Abbotsford, for example.

Dalip Singh Gill realized that to gain official status for a new language in schools, support from the regulatory educational body in BC, the Ministry of Education, was vital. If it was not done soon enough, then a rapidly growing and important new component of the Canadian community, the Punjabi Sikhs of Canada, would one day struggle to maintain one of their most prized possessions- their language and heritage. He had discussed this initiative with various cultural and religious organizations in different parts of Canada and, fortunately hit centre target when he came to Abbotsford. Here, the Khalsa Diwan Society had already established a temple in 1982, adjacent to the oldest gurdwara in North America. The Society, under the leadership of the late Mr. Inder Singh Gill and Mr.Mohinder Singh Gill invited him to help them in getting their project of a Punjabi language school off the ground.

Dalip Singh Gill set immediately to work, despite the fact that he still had to go back home to Punjab, as he had his job and family back there. On his advice, the Khalsa Diwan Society, with some interested parent supporters, made a unanimous decision on February 19, 1983, to start three weekend classes in Punjabi. The next day, this Punjabi-only school, called Dasmesh Punjabi School, officially opened its doors. This school was to be run by the non-profit society called Dasmesh Punjabi Educational Association (DPEA), made up of the Society, parents, and donors. (Notable among these parents and donors were those who have been instrumental in helping to found the School and in running the affairs of the Association since inception.)

Meantime, Dalip Singh Gill returned to Punjab In 1983, where he received yet another promotion as PES Class 1 Officer, and was posted as Principal of the Government Teachers’ In-service Training Centre in Jalandhar.  He was responsible for the training of teachers of five districts, namely, Jullundur, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpore, Amristar, and Gurdaspore.

Now, as in Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken, “ two roads diverged”  before him- the familiar and the one not taken. Abbotsford Khalsa Diwan Society beckoned him from Canada to head the school he had helped start; Punjab wanted his expertise to benefit their students and teachers. He had to make a hard decision, and as usual he let his Guru’s teachings guide him. He had a mission to fulfill in a new land with new people for the sake of the children who would grow up in a bilingual, bicultural zone here. How own comfort zone would have to be forsaken.

Consequently, he took pre-mature retirement from his PES Class 1 post with the Government of Punjab, and headed back to Abbotsford, where he arrived with his family on April 24, 1985. He set about the task of obtaining official recognition for Dasmesh Punjabi School (DPS) to take pride of place amongst other regular schools in BC. His vision was an English- medium school that would offer what other excellent schools did, but much more.

The following year on January 19^th, 1986, a little over a week after his 58^th birthday, the decision to start an independent English- medium school was formally approved at the AGM of the DPEA.  The goal was to offer the regular BC Ministry of Education curriculum, in addition to Sikh Studies and Punjabi language. The AGM resolution, embodying the following objectives, set DPS full steam ahead as a school that would one day stand tall and proud for its innovative curriculum, marked by balance and excellence:

• English-medium, BC-curriculum, quality education
• Heritage Programs with Punjabi and Sikh Studies integrated into the regular curriculum
• A safe environment for learners, free from smoking, drinking, and drugs.

Beginning September 1986, DPS opened its doors officially as a full-fledged, accredited, two-room, English medium school with 11 students and two teachers- the founding principal himself and Mrs. Evelyn Budzinski. The school building was an extension of the Khalsa Diwan Society Gurudwara.The School also began with a no-junk food policy, a strikingly innovative idea at the time.

Hand in hand with his work of building the school from very small beginnings  over the years, Principal Dalip Singh Gill is a pioneer in yet another significant area- that of immigrant language education in Canada. He tenaciously pursued his goal of getting Punjabi recognized as a heritage language in BC.  He sent petitions to MP’s, MLA’s and city counselors.  On January 14^th, 1990, Hon. Anthony Brummet, the Minister of Education, visited Dasmesh Punjabi School.  Dalip Singh Gill appealed to him to include Punjabi in the list of heritage languages being taught in schools. The Minister followed up his visit with the dispatch of an expert to verify if Punjabi as a language was fully developed for classification as an official language. The Assistant Director from the Ministry spent a whole day visiting Dasmesh Punjabi School and returned, fully satisfied, with a report that said that Punjabi is a language with its own script, sounds, spelling, and a rich literature from its religious scriptures.

Although official recognition did not come for several more years, Dalip Singh Gill strongly believed that success was on the horizon. Canada was a fair country with firmly entrenched beliefs in human rights. Therefore, his representations to Hon. Art Chabonneau, the new Minister of Education, and Hon. Moe Sihota, the Minister of Multiculturalism, persisted. Pressure from community leaders also mounted at this time.Dalip Singh Gill was appointed, with many other prominent Punjabi language specialists, to the Partner Overview/Review Committee that was set up. Dalip Singh Gill also actively served on the Abbotsford Punjabi Language Development Council. BC, under Premier Mike Harcourt, finally acknowledged Chinese and Punjabi as heritage languages on June 29, 1994.

One of his main dreams was now fulfilled, and the first Ministry of Education Examination for Punjabi 12 was held in the 1996-97 school year at DPS. Since then Grade 10 students here appear for Punjabi 12 every year. There has been a 100% pass rate to date, with many students exceeding expectations, and one, Dr. Dalip Singh Gill’s own grandnephew, set a national record of 100% in the Provincial Punjabi 12 Exam. Many public school districts in BC have also started teaching Punjabi as a language of choice.

This dream of ensuring official educational status for Punjabi as a language was intertwined with another:  Dalip Singh Gill’s mission and vision to make Dasmesh Punjabi School an iconic educational institution. For over two decades, this tireless and selfless educator continued to work with his School Board, staff, and parents to achieve this. He had the active support of goal-oriented founding members and their families throughout (two of whom hold the most influential positions currently on the DPS Board), and the school demographics grew. The students of all ages at his school revered him, and still show their affection and respect by greeting him the Sikh way and hugging him like a father-figure.  In July 2006, the DPEA bought a multimillion dollar school building at Matsqui, north Abbotsford, to house their expanding student and staff numbers. Currently, Dasmesh Punjabi School has a total student population of more than 600 kindergarten-grade 10 students, and 40 staff members. The school building is a massive complex with 35 classrooms, gym, library, computer and science labs. In 2010, a new wing for a senior secondary school (Grades 11 and 12) was added. This extension has 6 rooms, including two specialist science labs and a Punjabi and Sikh Studies Centre.

Dalip Singh Gill retired as Principal of DPS in February 2009, once he was fully satisfied that it was on terra firma. At his official retirement ceremony, the guest of honor, former Chief Justice and Attorney General, Wally Oppal who grew up in Canada  remarked, “As I look at the students of this school, I feel proud to call myself a member of this community.”

Dalip Singh Gill also served on the Abbotsford Multicultural Advisory Committee and closely liaised with the Indo-Canadian Business Association for many years, as community contact and support are very important to him.

For his unmatched contributions to education and to the future of children in Canada, Dalip Singh Gill was honored by the BC Government and appointed as the first Indo-Canadian member of the British Columbia College of Teachers Council, where he served from 2006-2009. He was also conferred the Honorary Doctorate degree of Dr. Litt by the University of the Fraser Valley on June 12, 2009, when he officially earned the title he so richly deserves- Dr. Dalip Singh Gill. Des McKay,  former Superintendent of Schools, Abbotsford,  best summed up the man and his legacy on January 31, 2009 in his letter of recommendation to the University of the Fraser Valley when he said: “Mr. Gill’s influence on the community reaches far beyond the boundaries of the school. He is a very wise and learned man who has been called upon for support and advice by several agencies including the Abbotsford School District, various media, government and  community organizations…he has a unique ability for seeing the fundamental importance of community and the influential role  each of us as an individual has in shaping the future. He is a visionary who is leaving a lasting legacy in both Canada and India. Mr. Gill is truly one of those exceptional people you meet once in a lifetime.”

To conclude this rich profile of a larger than life man, who is often reminded of the Dalai Lama when you meet him because of his warmth and sense of humor, his belief in the potency of education to make a difference in society continues both here and in his former homeland.  He had founded a college for underprivileged girls in Punjab in 1983 called the Jagat Sewak College for Girls and a co-educational high school at Parao Mehna, Moga. The enrolment in these institutions is now over 1500-student strong, and Dr.Dalip Singh Gill is very much involved in their welfare- he started the BC Advisory Committee with his former colleagues and friends to offer these colleges financial support. Dr Gill is the Chairperson of this Committee.  He also serves as the Chairperson of the DPS Board of Trustees and is a popular sought-after speaker and guest for special functions, especially those related to the school, whether it is at significant Sikh celebrations, at the gurdwaras, or on TV.  Only a man blessed with immense selflessness, courage, faith, and commitment could have achieved what Dr. Dalip Singh Gill has done for humanity.  His deep knowledge of his own Sikh culture and religion, and his breadth and depth of education in both teaching and politics, gave him the dynamism and force that are still carrying this octogenarian on.  He is a role model for all of us.

Profile by Mrs. Sulochana Chand, DPS staff member since 1989/ current Principal.

Photo enhancement with Photoshop by Manjot K Sandhu, Grade 10 student.