Khushwant Singh (2 February 1915 – 20 March 2014) was an Indian author, lawyer, diplomat, journalist and politician.
Early Life
Khushwant Singh was born on 2 February 1915, Punjab, Pakistan. In 1932, he completed his higher education from St. Stephen’s College in Delhi. In 1934, he got his B. A degree from Government College, Lahore. Later, he joined the King’s College London to study law, and received his L.L.B degree from University of London in 1938.
Career
In 1938, he started his career as a lawyer. 8 years at the Lahore Court, he worked hard and gave his best.
In 1947, he joined the Indian Foreign Service, after India became independent. As an IFS employee, he first worked in the Government of India’s Information Office in Toronto, Canada. Later, he became the Press Attache and Public Officer for the Indian High Commission in London and Ottawa.
Then in 1951, he quit the IFS and became a journalist for All India Radio. From 1954 to 1956, he worked at UNESCO’s Department of Mass Communications. He started doing editorial services in 1956.
Yojana was an Indian government journal he founded and edited in 1951-1953. On Indira Gandhi‘s personal recommendation, he also became editor of Hindustan Times.
From 1980 – 1986, he served as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Books
He wrote lot of important and famous books like Train to Pakistan (1956), Delhi: A Novel (1990), The Company of Women (1999), Truth, Love, and a Little Malice (2002), The Good, The Bad, and the Ridiculous (2013), etc.
His other books include Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Fall of the Sikh Kingdom.
In 1963, he wrote and published a classic two-volume book on Sikh History called A History of Sikhs.
Awards
In 1974, he received the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award of India. He returned the award in protest against Operation Blue Star in 1984.
In 2007, he received the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award of India.
His other awards include the Sahitya Academy fellowship, (2010), Tata Literature Live! Award (2013), Fellowship of King’s College, London (2014).
Death
He died on 20 March 2014, New Delhi, India.
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