Kirpal Singh (Indian Navy officer)
Second World War | |
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Awards | Ati Vishisht Seva Medal |
Rear Admiral Kirpal Singh, AVSM (5 September 1925 – 10 August 2021) was a flag officer in the Indian Navy and founder of Dolphin Offshore Enterprises, one of India's first offshore technology firms. As a philanthropist, he formed the Dolphin Foundation,[2] dedicated to providing grants and fellowships in the offshore and marine industry.[3][4][5][6]
Early life and education
Singh was born to Partap Singh and Laj Wanti, on 5 September 1925 in Beawar, in the district of Ajmer, Rajasthan. His father was a junior level Police Officer in the Opium Contraband Control Department during the British Raj. Singh grew up in very modest circumstances. In 1930, when Partap Singh retired prematurely at the age of 42, the family moved to Rawalpindi in North-West Punjab (now in Pakistan).
Singh received his early education at Khalsa High School in Rawalpindi. In 1939, he was selected for a scholarship to join the Indian Mercantile Marine
Japan's entry in the
World War II
Singh served as a midshipman during World War II on board the battleship,
After the war, from September 1945 to March 1946, Singh attended technical courses as a Sub Lieutenant with the Royal Navy. A year later, he was sent to the UK to specialize in Gunnery at the Royal Navy's Gunnery School at HMS Excellent.
Post-Independence
In 1949, Singh served as
Singh held many positions during his naval career. He commanded various ships and establishments, including the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and the Western Fleet. On 28 March 1973, he was promoted to his final rank of rear admiral.[8]
In April 2017, Singh attended the second reunion of the AsDC (Aides-de-Camp), hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee.[9]
Business career
Singh's post-naval career began with the establishment of a small ship repair firm with three other partners. He also represented
Philanthropy
Singh provided a grant for the launch of the Maritime Museum in Kochi.[10] Through the Dolphin Foundation, he provided grants for individuals in the offshore and maritime industry in India. In 2006, he launched a scholarship program for the children of sailors in the Indian Navy.[11] He and his wife Manjit Kirpal Singh were Trustees and Advisory board members of the Anad Foundation,[12] dedicated to advancing the values of humanism through spiritual music. He was dedicating his time to launching a technical institute to train young Indians for the offshore energy and maritime industry.[13]
Personal life
Kirpal Singh married Manjit Kaur Dugal in New Delhi on 20 September 1953. She is the daughter of Uttam Singh Dugal[14] and Balwant Kaur.
Kirpal and Manjit collaborated closely,[15] and the Development Initiative For Self-reliance and Human Advancement (DISHA).[16] She was the first Director of Finance for Dolphin Offshore. She recently resigned as a Director of the company, after serving on the Board for 32 years.[17]
He died on 10 August 2021, at the age of 95.[18][19]
References
- ^ "Rear Admiral Kirpal Singh (Retd.)". Anad Foundation. 13 January 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ Dolphin Foundation Indian Oil, Economic Times, 29 May 2009: http://www.iocl.com/MediaCenter/PrintNews.aspx?NewsID=5260&NewsTypeID=-1[permanent dead link]
- ISBN 9788170621485.
- ISBN 9781897829721.
- ^ The Times of India Year Book Including Who's Who (1973). Page 26
- ^ "Dolphin Offshore Enterprises". Bloomberg Business Week. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013.
- ^ Hall, JTS (1945). "Royal Indian Navy". Journal of the Royal Central Asian Society. 32. Taylor and Francis: 68–79. .
- ^ "Gazette of India" (PDF). egazette.nic.in.
- ^ President expresses gratitude to his AsDC for their service
- ^ Staff (21 July 2008). "Charting India's maritime tradition". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 31 July 2008.
- ^ "Admiral Kirpal Singh Scholarships Awarded to Children". OnlyPunjab.com. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
- ^ "Board of Trustees". Anad Foundation. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ ET Bureau (29 May 2010). "The offshore support industry can be an engine of social change in India". The Economic Times.
- ^ Documents on Punjab, Page 238, 1994, O.P.Ralhan et al
- ^ "Activities". Indian Naval Wives Welfare Association. Archived from the original on 30 July 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ "Homepage". Development Initiative For Self-reliance and Human Advancement.
- ^ "Executive Profile: Mrs. Manjit Kirpal Singh". Business Week. Retrieved 29 July 2013.[dead link]
- ^ Kirpal Singh (1925–2021)
- ^ Rear Admiral Kirpal Singh Eulogy