Shri Bhagat Singh, the esteemed Chairman of the A&N State Cooperative Bank and the father of Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament, A&N Islands passed away today in Hyderabad, marking the end of an era for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Born on August 1, 1941, Shri Bhagat Singh was a luminary whose life was a testament to his dedication to social work and philanthropy. He was revered among islanders for his tireless commitment to bettering their lives.
A distinguished alumnus of the Boys' School, Shri Bhagat Singh completed his 10th grade in 1957 under the Board of Secondary Education, West Bengal. He was a Gold Medalist in B.E. (Electrical Engineering) from Annamalai University and held the prestigious position of one of the four national Vice Chairpersons of the National Federation of State Cooperative Banks of India.
His career was illustrious and multifaceted. Starting as a Section Officer in 1963, he rose through the ranks to become the Superintending Engineer of the Electricity Department before retiring. His tenure saw him also serve as the Principal of Govt. Polytechnic on deputation, Director on the Board of Governors for the All India Technical Teachers Institute (ER) in the Ministry of Education, Deputy Director of the Southern Electricity Board in Bangalore, and a member of the Central Electricity Authority in the Union Territory.
A true secularist at heart, Shri Bhagat Singh was involved in various religious and cultural associations. He served as President and Member of Temple Committees and actively engaged in the cultural, musical and sports activities of the Islands. He was also one of the longest serving presidents of the Local Born Association.
His legacy in the Electricity Department is profound. Under his guidance, thousands of unemployed youths found employment. He was also instrumental in introducing the Day and Night cricket tournament at Netaji Stadium and in arranging the first National Level Football Tournament under flood lights.
As Chairman of A&N State Cooperative Bank Ltd., Shri Bhagat Singh's tenure, which began in 2012, was marked by significant advancements. He played a pivotal role in modernizing bank branches, enriching staff training and developing infrastructure. Notably, his efforts led to the opening of the first exclusive women’s bank branch in the A&N Islands, as well as 12 new branches in remote areas such as Chowra and Long Island. Under his leadership, the bank implemented the Core Banking System (CBS) across 41 branches.
His dedication to social welfare was evident in the flagship program he introduced for the door delivery of pensions to the elderly, destitute, physically challenged, and widows.
An avid supporter of sports, Shri Bhagat Singh facilitated numerous sports-related activities across the Islands, supporting local athletes and tribal communities, including noteworthy personalities like Smti. Deborah and Deepa Karmakar.
Shri Bhagat Singh's demise leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew him and benefited from his generous spirit. His legacy of service, leadership and compassion will continue to inspire future generations in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.