Dr. Jaswant Singh Neki was a prominent Punjabi poet, Sikh scholar, and psychiatrist. He was born on August 27, 1925, to Mata Sitawanti and Hari Gulab Singh in the village of Murid, Jhelum district. Due to the religious atmosphere of his family, his lifestyle and perspective remained deeply spiritual. He was known for his neo-spiritual Punjabi poetry and scholarly contributions to Sikhism. He made significant contributions in the fields of medical science, literature, and Sikh religion. He served as the Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI), Chandigarh, and as the Head of the Psychiatry Department at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi.
Dr. Neki published more than ten poetry collections in Punjabi, among which his autobiographical poems Simriti Di Kiran Ton Pehlan (1975) and Koi Naon Na Jaane Mera (2000) are recognized as great works in Indian literature. His major works include: Asle Te Uhle, Karuna Di Chhoh Ton Magron (1978, Sahitya Akademi Award), Ardas: Darshan, Roop Te Abhias (1989, an analysis of Sikh Ardas), Vishav Ardas (1997, translation of over 300 prayers from various religions into Punjabi), Punjab Di Adhiatmik Virasat (2000), and Pilgrimage to Hemkunt (2002), among others.
Dr. Neki also made significant contributions to the field of Sikhism. His books, such as Ardas: Darshan, Roop Te Abhias and Vishav Ardas, are considered milestones in Sikh literature. He was a member of the Dharma Prachar Committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and represented Sikhism on international platforms, such as the Parliament of World Religions (1993) and the UNESCO Conference (1998).
Dr. Jaswant Singh Neki received numerous awards and honors in both the medical and literary fields, including the Sahitya Akademi Award, Shiromani Sahitkar Award (1986, Punjab Government), Sarvotam Sahitkar Award (2009, Punjabi Academy, Delhi), Bhai Vir Singh Award, K.S. Dhaliwal Award, Puran Singh Memorial Award, Order of the Khalsa (2000, on the 300th anniversary of the Khalsa), and an Honorary Doctorate from Guru Nanak Dev University.
Dr. Jaswant Singh Neki’s works and ideology left an indelible mark on Punjabi literature, Sikh scholarship, and psychology. His poetry and prose provided a new direction to Punjabi literature with spiritual and psychological depth. His books and ideas continue to inspire scholars and readers today. He passed away on September 11, 2015, in Delhi.