Rajya Sabha Member and environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal has demanded that the great social worker Bhagat Puran Singh be conferred with the country’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna. In this regard, he has written a letter to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, urging him to nationally honour Bhagat Puran Singh for his selfless service to humanity and his invaluable contribution to environmental conservation.Rajya Sabha Member and environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal. FILEIn the letter written on the occasion of the 34th death anniversary of Bhagat Puran Singh, Sant Seechewal said that his entire life was dedicated to service, sacrifice, simplicity and the welfare of humanity. Inspired by Gurbani, he made serving the needy his life’s mission and continued to do so until his final moments.Sant Seechewal mentioned in the letter that during the Partition of the country, an incident in which Bhagat Puran Singh carried a physically disabled and destitute man, Pyara Singh, on his back and brought him to Amritsar became a major turning point in his life of service. He subsequently established ‘Pingalwara’, where shelter, medical care and a life of dignity were provided to abandoned, differently abled, mentally distressed, elderly and destitute people.Sant Seechewal also highlighted Bhagat Puran Singh’s far-sighted vision towards environmental conservation. He said that at a time when environmental concerns had not yet become as widely discussed as they are today, Bhagat Puran Singh had already begun creating awareness among people about the conservation of natural resources, protection of trees and the importance of a simple lifestyle. He also inspired people to use public transport, reuse paper and avoid unnecessary consumption of wood.The Government of India recognised his services by conferring the ‘Padma Shri’ on him in 1979. Sant Seechewal said that Bhagat Puran Singh’s dedication to human service and environmental awareness continues to serve as a source of inspiration and guidance for society even today. In view of his unparalleled contribution, conferring the Bharat Ratna on him would be a true and befitting tribute to his great legacy.