Colonel Lal Singh Thind (Turna) was born in March 1902,in a status Kamboj family, in Turna village, near Lohian, District Jullundur, Punjab, India. His father Maiya Singh had served in the army of former princely State of Kapurthala where he held the rank of army Major. He was also the Zaildar of the village. Education and military career Lal Singh received his education up to B.Sc and then joined the army of Maharaja of Kapurthala as a lieutenant. In 1933, Lieutenant Lal Singh was attached with Inspector General Police, Kapurthala to look after and resolve the Tajia issue in Sultanpur Lodhi where Sikh-Muslim riots appeared imminent due to Adamant attitude of both communities. The issue was tactfully and firmly handled. Later Lieutenant Lal joined the army of princely State of Patiala where he soon promoted to the rank of Colonel. Progressive farmer After retirement from Military service after partition in 1947, Thind purchased a large tracts of fertile jungle land in Rudurpur city, District Rampur (now Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand). He progressively established Baradari farm. Thind received the Padma Shri award from Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan in 1965 in recognition of his agricultural achievements. He was a speaker at the 1966 All India Seed Improvement Seminar in New Delhi. He also received certificates of outstanding achievements from Dr Zakir Hussain and represented India at a progressive farmers’ meeting held in the United States in July 1973. Death and legacy Col Thind died on July 7, 1973. One brother of Lal Singh was MBBS doctor and had retired as Chief Medical Officer.
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