Visionary of the series on:

All India Students’ Conference on Science and Spiritual Quest

 

1937 - 2006

Dr. T.D. Singh

His Holiness Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami

A pioneer in advancing the dialogue on synthesis of science and spirituality throughout the world since 1974

 

Dr. T. D. Singh (His Holiness Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami) received his PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry from the University of California, Irvine in 1974. He was a scientist and a spiritualist known for his pioneering efforts in synthesizing science and religion for a deeper understanding of life and the universe. He has contributed papers in the Journal of American Chemical Society and the Journal of Organic Chemistry in the field of fast proton transfer kinetics in model biological systems using stopped flow technique and NMR spectroscopy. He also worked on gas phase reaction mechanisms using Ion Cyclotron Resonance (ICR) spectroscopy.

 

Dr. Singh was trained in Vaishnava Vedanta studies from 1970 to 1977 under His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and was appointed by Srila Prabhupada as Director of the Bhaktivedanta Institute in 1974, which is a center to promote studies about the relationship between Science and Vedanta. Dr. Singh organized four International conferences on science and religion - First and Second World Congress for the Synthesis of Science and Religion (1986 & 1997), First International Conference on the Study of Consciousness within Science (1990), and Second International Congress on Life and Its Origin. Collectively thousands of prominent scientists and religious leaders including several Nobel Laureates participated. He has authored and edited several books including What is Matter and What is Life? (1977), Theobiology (1979), Synthesis of Science and Religion (Ed.): Critical Essays and Dialogues (1987), Thoughts on Synthesis of Science and Religion (2001), Seven Nobel Laureates on Science and Spirituality (2004), Vedanta & Science series: Life and Origin of the Universe (2004), Life and Spiritual Evolution (2005), Essays on Science and Religion (2005), Science, Spirituality and the Nature of Reality (2005), Towards a Culture of Harmony and Peace (2005), God, Intelligent Design and Fine-Tuning (2005), God is a Person – Reflections of Two Nobel Laureates (2006) and Life , Matter and their interactions (2006). He was  the Editor-in-Chief of Savijnanam – Scientific Exploration for a Spiritual Paradigm (A Journal of the Bhaktivedanta Institute).   

 

Dr. Singh was also the President of Vedanta and Science Educational Research Foundation, Kolkata since its inception and a founding member of the United Religions Initiative (URI). He was also the President of URI's Manipur (North Eastern India) Cooperation Circle. As an educator, he had established a network of schools in North-Eastern India and supervised and guided over 4000 students at these different schools. He was an accomplished singer, instrumentalist and poet. He envisioned the University of Bhagavata Culture in Imphal, Manipur, India to promote the Universal Scientific and Philosophical relevance of the teachings of Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Vedanta and other Vedic literatures within the framework of modern cultural and educational milieu for the welfare of humanity.

 

Dr. Singh had lots of concern for the student community with regard to their holistic development. He felt our younger generations were exposed to the latest scientific and technological developments in various disciplines at numerous colleges and universities around the world, but somehow they lacked spiritual foundation. Hence, he felt the need to organize students’ conference to educate them on the interface of Science and Spirituality for  overall growth of their personality. Thus, with this great vision, Dr. Singh conceptualized the series on All India Students’ Conference on Science and Spiritual Quest (AISSQ). Dr. Singh personally organized the first conference in the series  in December 2005 at Vrindavan, UP.    Subsequently by the will of Providence,  Dr. Singh left for the spiritual abode on 2 October 2006.  He had made all the arrangements and had done the planning for the   2nd  All India Students' Conference on Science and Spiritual Quest that was held in December 2006 in Puri, Orissa.   Besides, during his physical presence,  he  had also planned the venue for the third conference in the series in Tirupati.  Today, in his absence, his followers and well-wishers throughout the world are carrying out his grand vision for harmonizing the modern culture through the synthesis of science and spirituality.   

 

The 3rd  All India Students' Conference on Science and Spiritual Quest to be held in Tirupati during 22-23 December 2007 is also a tribute to Dr. Singh on his 70th year of appearance (birthday).