Observance of Condolence: Mr. Nirmal J. Singh (10th Oct 1952 - 21 Sept 2020), Former Chairperson Sphere India.
v...@sphereindia.org.in
Dear Colleagues,
With profound grief and sadness, I am sharing with you all the untimely demise of Mr. Nirmal J. Singh, former Chairperson of Sphere India. I know many of you have had got a chance to be with him as co travellers in the mission of reducing human suffering.
Mr. Nirmal J. Singh (10th Oct 1952 – 21 Sept 2020), former Head of Emergency CASA and Former Chairperson Sphere India was one of the most experienced humanitarian emergency professionals in the country. A humanitarian carrier spanning over more than 40 years, he had probably worked in each and every humanitarian emergency in India since 1977 much before the professional disaster management evolved in the country. He had a deep understanding of grassroots issues in local contexts, multi sector interventions for emergency response and preparedness, community based disaster preparedness, inclusion, social cohesion and peace building and in establishing action networks. He had been associated with many national and international institutions. One of the founding members of Sphere India, as member of the organisation evolution committee, he was the main energy in development of Sphere India as a formal institution in 2012 and as the Chairperson of Sphere India from 2012-2016, in consolidation of Good Governance and programming of Sphere India.
I have been personally privileged to have a close working association with him. He has been a great guide and a mentor. In the current context social inclusion and social cohesion had been high on his concerns. His loss is irreplaceable and has left a deep void in the humanitarian community in India but his spirit and work will continue to inspire and motivate many others.
Today is also the International Day of Peace, a 24 hours period of Non Violence and Cease Fire and theme for 2020 is Shaping Peace Together. This year, it has been clearer than ever that we are not each other’s enemies. Rather, our common enemy is a tireless virus that threatens our health, security and very way of life. That is why UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for a global ceasefire. But there is also more to peace than putting aside arms. True peace depends on societies being inclusive, healthy and economically stable. It requires a predictable climate, an unpolluted environment and solidarity across community lines. In this new era of physical distancing, we may not be able to stand together physically but still can put small efforts to be socially inclusive and cohesive which was also one of the key messages of Mr. Singh.
We are adapting the format of our session today to begin with a few minutes observance of condolence and remembrance for Mr. Singh. We will also have more time participants to share of their own reflections of working with Mr. Singh and the thoughts on how can we be more socially inclusive and cohesive. So, may I urge for the members of the group and fellow humanitarians to please join at 4:00 pm today for the planned discussion.
Link: http://tiny.cc/5kgxsz Time: 4:00 to 5:30 pm
In solidarity.
Vikrant
CEO, Sphere India
M: +91 9818 666 331