Dr. Zora Singh DBU

Dr. Singh served the community as a pediatrician for 17 years before dedicating himself entirely to education and social reform. To honor the legacy of his father, Sardar Lal Singh—a freedom fighter who served with Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and was awarded the Tamra Patra in 1972—he established Desh Bhagat University with the mission of providing quality, human-centric education to underserved populations, especially in rural and backward areas.

Under his leadership, the university has expanded to include a group campus in Muktsar and an international campus in North America—Desh Bhagat University Americas. It caters to students across India and abroad, with a strong focus on diversity, inclusion, and academic excellence. Thousands of students from first-generation and economically weaker backgrounds have accessed higher education across disciplines, including medicine, engineering, nursing, law, management, agriculture, and liberal arts.

One of Dr. Zora Singh’s most impactful contributions is his unwavering commitment to empowering the underprivileged through education. The university has awarded over ₹27 crore in scholarships, including the Shakti Scholarship for girl students and the Mata Jarnail Kaur Scholarship for students from low-income families. These initiatives have enabled young people from tribal, backward, and rural communities to become doctors, engineers, educators, and administrators—uplifting entire families and breaking cycles of poverty.

In addition to scholarships, Dr. Singh has ensured Desh Bhagat University functions as a hub for rural employment. Hundreds of individuals, particularly women from marginalized backgrounds, have found stable jobs on campus. The university’s workforce includes a large number of women in housekeeping, administration, and technical roles—providing not just employment, but also dignity, confidence, and self-reliance.

As a trained pediatrician, Dr. Singh has always viewed healthcare as a human right. He established Desh Bhagat Hospital, a charitable NABH-accredited teaching hospital that offers low-cost and free treatment to underserved populations. The hospital includes allopathic, ayurvedic, and dental wings and regularly hosts free health camps, eye check-ups, blood donation drives, and wellness outreach programs in remote villages. His mission: to make healthcare accessible to all, regardless of income.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, his leadership was instrumental. Desh Bhagat Hospital was converted into a fully functional COVID care facility with oxygen beds, ICUs, and round-the-clock services. A government-authorized vaccination center was set up on campus, and mobile medical teams were dispatched to nearby villages. These timely interventions positioned the university as a vital public health partner in a time of national crisis.

In an extraordinary gesture of courage and commitment to the nation’s well-being, Dr. Zora Singh sent a legal undertaking to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), offering his own body for experimental trials to help find a cure or prophylaxis for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. At a time of great uncertainty, when fear was widespread, he set a bold personal example—declaring that if his life could aid scientific advancement or save others, it was available for national service. This rare and selfless act underscores his deep belief in science, service, and sacrifice.

Dr. Zora Singh has also pioneered the use of community media for social transformation. In 2013, under his guidance, Desh Bhagat Community Radio 107.8 FM conducted a 100-hour non-stop live broadcast to raise awareness on drug abuse—a pressing issue in Punjab. This socially impactful initiative, involving 12 volunteer RJs, was recognized by the Limca Book of Records as a National Record for the longest live marathon on community radio, held from September 15 to 19, 2013. It further earned the Special Jury Award at the National Community Radio Awards 2014 by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

This remarkable campaign was designed to counter the rising tide of drug addiction among youth. The 100-hour non-stop programming included live interviews, community stories, health expert opinions, testimonials from reformed addicts, and participation from students, civil society members, and grassroots health workers. The event became a model for how local media could drive mass awareness with minimal resources but maximum dedication. Dr. Zora Singh was felicitated during a special function for this initiative, highlighting his leadership in using education and communication tools to directly address public health crises.

His sustained anti-drug campaigns include de-addiction drives, counseling sessions, and seminars for youth, especially in rural belts. The university’s National Service Scheme (NSS) units conduct regular awareness programs on substance abuse, women’s rights, legal literacy, and environmental sustainability. These reflect Dr. Singh’s larger mission—to produce not just graduates, but responsible citizens with a sense of purpose and moral obligation to society. His philosophy is clear: education is not merely about degrees, but about nurturing compassionate, socially aware human beings who can build a better tomorrow.

A strong advocate for innovation and entrepreneurship, Dr. Zora Singh has laid the foundation for a thriving startup ecosystem at Desh Bhagat University. Through dedicated incubation centers, industry partnerships, and innovation cells, students are encouraged to explore bold ideas, solve real-world problems, and emerge as job creators. Several student-led ventures have flourished under his mentorship, in areas such as agri-tech, ed-tech, green energy, and digital health. By fostering innovation, he is preparing youth to lead India’s transition into a knowledge economy, in line with national priorities like Startup India and Digital India.

Now in his seventies, Dr. Zora Singh continues to lead with humility, wisdom, and an unshakable resolve. His work is deeply rooted in Gandhian principles of self-reliance, truth, and service. While he has received numerous awards and recognitions in the field of education and public service, he has never sought the limelight. Instead, his legacy lies in the thousands of empowered individuals, the thriving communities, and the enduring institutions he has built over decades. His life is a testament to the power of compassion, vision, and perseverance in transforming society from the grassroots up.

In sum, Dr. Zora Singh’s contributions span education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, rural employment, drug de-addiction, entrepreneurship, and social justice. He embodies the values of selfless service, nation-building, and inclusive growth. His vision continues to inspire change-makers and young leaders across India. For his tireless dedication and transformative impact on society.