Professor Ajmer Singh was born on 1 February 1940 in Kup Kalan village located in the Sangrur district of Punjab. His father’s name was Mr. Kartar Singh Aulakh and his mother’s name was Mrs. Bachan Kaur Aulakh. He completed his primary education at his village school. Professor Ajmer Singh ji graduated from Government College, Malerkotla in 1959, after which he did a Bachelor of Physical Education (BPE) from Laxmibai National College of Physical Education, Gwalior. After this, he did MA and PhD from Punjab University, Chandigarh.
Achievements
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Ajmer Singh was the only Indian person with a PhD degree in Physical Education to be awarded the Arjuna Award by the Government of India. From 1976 to 1979 he was on deputation to the Federal Government of Nigeria as a Special Education Officer. While in Nigeria, Ajmer Singh trained Daghaba Minha in athletics, who was his student at the Federal Government Girls College, Abuloma, Portharcourt, Nigeria. Under the able and dedicated guidance of Ajmer, Minha became Nigeria’s national champion in shot put and discus throw.
He was also the Vice Chancellor of Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior, and Maulana Abul Kalam Chairman and Director of Sports at Panjab University, Chandigarh.
He had many awards and distinctions to his credit, National Award in 1964, Arjun Award in 1966, Distinguished Alumni Award in 1995 from LNIPE, Deemed University, Gwalior, Khalsa Tri-Centenary Award in 1999, and Kimat Karash National Unity Award for Sports in the year 2000.
Professor Ajmer Singh participated in the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. Two years later, in the Asian Games held in Bangkok, he won a gold medal in the 400-meter race and a silver medal in the 200-meter race. Ajmer Singh lived in Nigeria from 1976 to 1979 as a Special Education Officer for the Federal Government. Professor Ajmer Singh ji was the Chairman of the Department of Physical Education at Panjab University, Chandigarh. Professor Ajmer Singh Ji has also been the Director of Laxmibai National University of Physical Education, Gwalior, and Chairman of the Maulana Abul Kalam Committee.
He died on 26 January 2010 in Chandigarh.
Education and early life
During his school days, Professor Ajmer Singh was like other normal boys, who enjoyed circle kabaddi only for fun. During his vocational education (BPE) at Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education, Gwalior, he came in contact with his teacher Professor Karan Singh who inspired him to become an athlete and gave a new direction to his ambition. He set a new record for Indian universities in the 400-meter race at the Interuniversity Athletic Meet in Chandigarh in 1963.
Later in 1963, he won gold medals in 200 m and 400 m in another interuniversity meet held at the LNCPE campus. He was declared national champion in 200 meters and 400 meters from 1965 to 1970. He represented India in the 200 m, 400 m, and 4×400 m relay races at the 5th Asian Games held in Bangkok in 1966. In the Asian Games, he won the gold medal by completing the 400-meter race in 47.01 seconds and won the silver medal by completing the 200-meter race in 21.05 seconds. He was a member of the Indian 4×400 meters relay race team at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. He also competed in the 200 meters and 400 meters at the 1966 Commonwealth Athletics Meet in Kingston.
Professional Career
From 1976 to 1979 he was on deputation to the Federal Government of Nigeria as a Special Education Officer. While in Nigeria, Ajmer Singh trained Daghaba Minha in athletics, who was his student at the Federal Government Girls College, Abuloma, Portharcourt, Nigeria. Under the able and dedicated guidance of Ajmer, Minha became Nigeria’s national champion in shot put and discus throw.
He was also the Vice Chancellor of Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior, and Maulana Abul Kalam Chairman and Director of Sports at Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Professor Ajmer Singh has guided and inspired many leading international athletes like Asian gold medalist Kamaljeet Sandhu (400m), Helen- a Nigerian student (high jump), and Annie- a Nigerian student (400m run).
Professor Ajmer Singh set a milestone for others and announced to donate his body to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh for medical research. Also, Ajmer had announced that no memorial in any form would be built in his memory. Both his wishes were fulfilled by his family.