Riya parik at 15:42, 13 January 2026

2026-01-13T15:42:18Z

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{{short description|Indian Horticultural scientist (born 1941)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Brahma Singh
| image = The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Shri Award to Shri Brahma Singh, at an Investiture Ceremony-II, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on April 26, 2014.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1941|12|15}}
| birth_place = Paladi, [[Muzaffarnagar]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], India
| death_date = July 9, 2023
| death_place =
| restingplace =
| restingplacecoordinates =
| othername =
| occupation = Horticultural scientist
| yearsactive =
| spouse = Saroj Singh
| domesticpartner =
| children =
| parents =
| website =
| awards = [[Padma Shri]] Horticulture Society of India Fellow National Academy of Biological Sciences Fellow [[National Academy of Agricultural Sciences]] Fellow Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India) Fellow Indian Society of Vegetable Sciences Fellow [[G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology|G. B. Pant University]] Merit [[Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi|Indira Priyadarshini]] Vrikshmitra Award International Plant Scientist Award AAA Life Time Achievement Award Shivshakti Life Time Achievement Award
}}
'''Brahma Singh''' is an Indian horticultural scientist,<ref name="NABS India">{{cite web | url=http://www.nabsindia.org/profiles/brahmasingh.html | title=NABS India | publisher=NABS India | date=2014 | access-date=31 October 2014}}</ref> known for his expertise on protected cultivation<ref name="WRNF">{{cite web | url=http://www.worldnoni.net/Profile/BrahmaSingh.html | title=WRNF | publisher=WRNF | date=2014 | access-date=1 November 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129173439/http://www.worldnoni.net/Profile/BrahmaSingh.html | archive-date=29 January 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref> and his efforts in developing agro-technologies for the high altitude areas of the [[Himalayan Mountains|Himalayan]] region of [[Leh]]<ref name="AARDO">{{cite web | url=http://www.aardo.org/aardohomepage/pdf/brhamasingh.pdf | title=AARDO | publisher=AARDO | date=2014 | access-date=31 October 2014}}</ref> and for identifying and popularizing the fruit crops of [[seabuckthorn]] and [[Morinda citrifolia|Indian mulberry (Noni)]].<ref name="APIV">{{cite web | url=http://www.apiv.in/2-uncategorised/13-brahma-singh | title=APIV | publisher=APIV | date=2014 | access-date=31 October 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101222933/http://www.apiv.in/2-uncategorised/13-brahma-singh | archive-date=1 November 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Government of India]] honoured him, in 2014, by awarding him the [[Padma Shri]], the fourth highest civilian award, for his contributions to the fields of science and technology.<ref name="Padma 2014">{{cite web |url=http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=102735 |title=Padma 2014 |publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India |date=25 January 2014 |access-date=28 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222101141/http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=102735 |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}</ref>

==Biography==
[[File:Grow More Food (2560125708).jpg|240px|thumb|A view of agriculture around [[Leh]].]]
[[File:Hippóphae rhamnoídes.JPG|240px|thumb|Common Sea-buckthorn]]
[[File:Noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia).jpg|240px|thumb|Indian mulberry - Noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia)]]
Brahma Singh was born at a small hamlet of Paladi<ref name="APIV" /> in [[Muzaffarnagar district]]<ref name="NABS India" /> in the India state of Uttar Pradesh, on 15 December 1941 into a [[Rajput]] family.<ref name="WRNF" /><ref name="ISOL">{{cite web | url=http://isolindia.org/blog/author/brahmasingh/ | title=ISOL | publisher=ISOL | date=2014 | access-date=31 October 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101205826/http://isolindia.org/blog/author/brahmasingh/ | archive-date=1 November 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref> He did his schooling at the Rashtriya High School from where he passed his matriculation in 1959<ref name="Roses of Rashtrapati Bhavan" /> and completed his junior college in 1961 from the Jat Inter College, Muzaffarnagar in 1961. Singh graduated (BSc Hons) in agriculture and agri-horticulture<ref name="APIV" /> from the [[G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology]] in 1964 and passed MSc from the same university in 1966.<ref name="NABS India" /> Subsequently, he did his doctoral studies at the [[Indian Agricultural Research Institute]], [[Pantnagar]] and secured PhD in 1970.<ref name="NABS India" /><ref name="WRNF" /><ref name="APIV" /><ref name="Roses of Rashtrapati Bhavan" />

After obtaining the doctoral degree, Singh started his career as an assistant professor at the [[Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University]], [[Hisar (city)|Hisar]] in 1970<ref name="NABS India" /> and worked there till 1974, when he joined the [[Defence Research and Development Organization]] (DRDO) at their Uttaranchal facility of Defence Agricultural Research Laboratory as the Grade I Senior Scientific Officer.<ref name="NABS India" /><ref name="AARDO" /> In 1979, he was transferred to the [[Defence Food Research Laboratory|Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysore]] with a promotion to the post of the Deputy Director. The next assignment as the Director at the Defence Research Laboratory in [[Tezpur]], Assam,<ref name="NABS India" /> a stint of five years till 1990.<ref name="AARDO" /> This was followed by his transfer to the Field Research Laboratory, [[Leh]] in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], as the Director,<ref name="NABS India" /><ref name="APIV" /> starting a significant chapter in his career. In 1995, Singh shifted to the DRDO headquarters in Delhi as the Director of the Life Sciences<ref name="NABS India" /> with the additional responsibility of the Secretary of the Life Sciences Research Board<ref name="AARDO" /><ref name="APIV" /> till his official retirement from DRDO service in 2001.<ref name="Roses of Rashtrapati Bhavan" />

In 2002, Singh was elevated to the status of ''Emeritus Scientist''<ref name="ISOL" /> and was placed at the [[Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences]] of DRDO for one year and was appointed the General Manager of the Uttaranchal Seeds and Tarai Development Corporation at for another one-year term.<ref name="NABS India" /> In 2004, Singh moved to the [[Rashtrapati Bhavan]], home to the famous [[Mughal Gardens]], as the Officer on Special Duty (Horticulture) at the President's Secretariat where he worked till 2007.<ref name="NABS India" /><ref name="AARDO" /> His tenure there also resulted in Dr. Singh publishing two [[coffee table books]], ''Trees of Rashtrapati Bhavan'' and ''Roses of Rashtrapati Bhavan''.<ref name="Roses of Rashtrapati Bhavan">{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a2bi67UloQ | title=Roses of Rashtrapati Bhavan | publisher=YouTube video | date=1 May 2014 | access-date=1 November 2014}}</ref>

Brahma Singh is the advisor of the World Noni Research Foundation based in Chennai.<ref name="WRNF" /><ref name="ISOL" /> He also holds the Presidency of the Indian Society For Protected Cultivation, New Delhi.<ref name="WRNF" /><ref name="Roses of Rashtrapati Bhavan" /> He is also the Joint Secretary of ISNS.<ref name="WRNF" />

Brahma Singh lives in [[Mayur Vihar]] in New Delhi.<ref name="NABS India" /><ref name="AARDO" />

==Legacy==
[[File:BhutJolokia09 Asit.jpg|240px|thumb|left|Bhut Jolokia (Capsicum assamensis)]]
Brahma Singh is known as an expert in protected cultivation<ref name="NABS India" /><ref name="APIV" /> and is credited for his efforts in introducing crop cultivation in the high altitude regions of [[Leh]] and [[Nubra Valley|Nubra]]. During his tenure as the Director of the Field Research Laboratory at Leh,<ref name="AARDO" /> Dr. Singh is reported to developed have developed vegetable and crop cultivation in the region,<ref name="NABS India" /> thereby earning the accolade as the ''person who greened Leh''<ref name="APIV" /> which he accomplished by identifying and promoting crops suitable and adaptable to the rarified atmosphere of Leh.<ref name="NABS India" /> [[Seabuckthorn]] and [[Morindia citrifolia|Indian mulberry]] are two such crops identified and popularized by him,<ref name="NABS India" /><ref name="WRNF" /><ref name="APIV" /> the latter known to have many uses in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutriceutical industries.<ref name="APIV" /><ref name="Society for New Age Herbals">{{cite web | url=http://www.societyfornewageherbals.com/ScientificLiterature.html | title=Society for New Age Herbals | publisher=Society for New Age Herbals | date=2014 | access-date=1 November 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205151829/http://www.societyfornewageherbals.com/ScientificLiterature.html | archive-date=5 December 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Insight Travels">{{cite web | url=http://www.insighttravels.com/2012/10/the-so-called-leh-berry-insight-into-sea-buckthorn/ | title=Insight Travels | publisher=Insight Travels | date=2014 | access-date=1 November 2014}}</ref> He has also contributed towards the development of ''Leh Berry'', a [[nutraceutical]] beverage made out of ripe seabuckthorn fruits,<ref name="Society for New Age Herbals" /><ref name="Insight Travels" /> and patent of the preparation is held by him.<ref name="APIV" /> He has since transferred the technology to the local farmers and the industry in reported to be a flourishing one.<ref name="APIV" /><ref name="Leh Berry TOI">{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Defence-lab-squeezes-crores-out-of-Leh-berry/articleshow/846965.cms | title=Leh Berry TOI | publisher=TOI | date=10 September 2004 | access-date=1 November 2014}}</ref><ref name="Afaqs">{{cite web | url=http://www.afaqs.com/news/company_briefs/index.html?id=8328_-Leh-Berry-mango-seabuckthorn-nectar-launched | title=Afaqs | publisher=Afaqs | date=2014 | access-date=1 November 2014}}</ref>

Singh introduced many scientific agro techniques by utilizing solar and soil heat to foster cultivation of six vegetables such as potatoes and capsicum in Leh.<ref name="APIV" /> He is known to have popularized a chilly variety, [[Bhut Jolokia]], (Capsicum assamensis), one of the hottest chilly varieties in the world<ref name="Crazy Hot Seeds">{{cite web | url=https://www.crazyhotseeds.com/top-10-worlds-hottest-peppers/ | title=Crazy Hot Seeds | publisher=Crazy Hot Seeds | date=2014 | access-date=1 November 2014}}</ref> and his efforts have contributed to develop potato seed production in the Leh valley.<ref name="NABS India" /><ref name="WRNF" /><ref name="APIV" /> He has also been given credit for the establishment of herbal gardens in Leh,<ref name="NOPR">{{cite web | url=http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/12238/1/NPR%202(1)%2014-15.pdf | title=NOPR | publisher=NOPR | date=2014 | access-date=1 November 2014}}</ref> the first one in the region,<ref name="FRL">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/08/06/stories/2005080603412000.htm | archive-url=https://archive.today/20141101132707/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/08/06/stories/2005080603412000.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=1 November 2014 | title=FRL | date=6 August 2005 | work=[[The Hindu]] | access-date=1 November 2014}}</ref> and, later, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan,<ref name="APIV" /> and also for finding breeding techniques of a variety of tomatoes, resistant to [[root-knot nematodes]].<ref name="APIV" />

A major contribution of Singh was his advocacy for the [[Zaniskari pony|Zaniskari ponies]],<ref name="Zanskar">{{cite web | url=http://horseindian.com/Zanskari.htm | title=Zanskar | publisher=Horse Indian | date=2014 | access-date=1 November 2014}}</ref> a local breed of ponies believed to be having more resistance and capabilities on high altitude terrain than the imported ones.<ref name="APIV" /> The efforts led to the induction of Zanskar ponies into the [[Indian Army]],<ref name="TOI pony">{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Army-to-use-Zanskar-ponies-to-carry-supplies-in-higher-reaches/articleshow/5323847.cms | title=TOI pony | publisher=TOI | date=11 December 2009 | access-date=1 November 2014}}</ref> which are believed to have served the country during the [[Kargil war]].<ref name="APIV" /> He was also involved in the development of ''space food'' for the first Indo-Russian space mission.<ref name="APIV" />

Brahma Singh is reported to be the driving force behind the establishment of agricultural research stations in [[Pithoragarh district|Pithoragarh]], [[Tawang Town|Tawang]] and [[Partapur, Uttar Pradesh|Partapur]].<ref name="APIV" /> It was through his efforts, Nang village of [[Ladakh]],<ref name="Nang">{{cite web | url=http://www.onefivenine.com/india/villages/Leh-Ladakh/Chuchot/Nang | title=Nang | publisher=Nang | date=2014 | access-date=1 November 2014}}</ref> situated at 13500 ft above the sea level, developed into a self-sustained place. This was achieved by utilizing animal production and cultivation technologies specifically developed for the cold desert climates.<ref name="APIV" /> Dr. Singh's advice is also reported to have played a part in the establishment of a permafrost facility at [[Changtang]].<ref name="APIV" /> He has also put in efforts in documenting the flora and fauna of Ladakh region.<ref name="APIV" />

Singh, holder of four patents,<ref name="APIV" /> is credited with 6 books, 81 articles of which 11 are popular articles, 18 abstracts and one scientific paper, his articles published in national and international peer reviewed journals.<ref name="WRNF" /> He has also presented papers at 44 seminars and conferences, edited 6 technical bulletins and has written 7 text book chapters,<ref name="AARDO" /><ref name="APIV" /> besides producing two coffee table books on ''Trees of Rashtrapati Bhavan'' and the ''Roses of Rashtrapati Bhavan''.<ref name="WRNF" />
* Seabuckthorn - A Wonder Plant<ref name="Article">{{cite web | url=http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/12352/1/NPR%201(4)%208-14.pdf | title=Seabuckthorn, A Wonder Plant | publisher=NISCAIR | date=2014 | access-date=31 October 2014}}</ref>
* Advances in Protected Cultivation<ref name="Advances in Protected Cultivation">{{cite book | url=http://www.bookfactoryindia.com/index.php?p=sr&Uc=9789383305179 | title=Advances in Protected Cultivation | publisher=New India Publishing Agency | author=Singh, Brahma, Balraj Singh | year=2014 | pages=248 | isbn=9789383305179 | access-date=1 November 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101221030/http://www.bookfactoryindia.com/index.php?p=sr&Uc=9789383305179 | archive-date=1 November 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* {{cite web | url=http://www.societyfornewageherbals.com/ScientificLiterature.html | title=Society for New Age Herbals | author=Brahma Singh | publisher=Society for New Age Herbals | date=2014 | access-date=1 November 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205151829/http://www.societyfornewageherbals.com/ScientificLiterature.html | archive-date=5 December 2014 | url-status=dead }}

==Positions==
Brahma Singh, an Emeritus Scientist of DRDO,<ref name="NABS India" /><ref name="WRNF" /> holds many positions of importance. He is the President of the Indian Society for Protected Cultivation<ref name="WRNF" /> and Society for New Age Herbals,<ref name="APIV" /> both New Delhi based organizations and World Wellness Forum.<ref name="ISOL" /> He is also an advisor to the World Noni Research Foundation, Chennai,<ref name="NABS India" /><ref name="WRNF Advisor">{{cite web | url=http://www.worldnoni.net/rab.html | title=WRNF Advisor | publisher=WRNF | date=2014 | access-date=1 November 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002205745/http://www.worldnoni.net/rab.html | archive-date=2 October 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref> and a member of the [[Indian Academy of Sciences]], Allahabad and [[Indian Science Congress]].<ref name="WRNF" />

==Awards and recognitions==
Professor Brahma Singh has been honoured by way of fellowships by many academic and scientific organizations such as Horticulture Society of India, National Academy of Biological Sciences, [[National Academy of Agricultural Sciences]],<ref name="WRNF" /> Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India)<ref name="NABS India" /><ref name="WRNF" /> Bio-ved Society<ref name="WRNF" /> and Indian Society of Vegetable Sciences.<ref name="NABS India" /><ref name="WRNF" /><ref name="APIV" /> He is a recipient of [[G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology]] Merit in 1964 during his college days,<ref name="APIV" /> and the ''Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshmitra Award'' from the [[Ministry of Environment and Forests (India)|Ministry of Environment and Forests]] in 1995,<ref name="NABS India" /><ref name="WRNF" /><ref name="APIV" /> In 2002, he received the International Plant Scientist Award from the Academy of Plant Sciences.<ref name="NABS India" /><ref name="WRNF" /><ref name="APIV" /> The Agriculture Alumni Association, Patna Nagar honoured Dr. Singh with the Life Time Achievement Award in 2012 which was followed by the Shivshakti Life Time Achievement Award, in 2013, from the Horticulture Society of India.<ref name="APIV" /> The [[Government of India]] honored Brahma Singh with the [[Padma Shri]] by including him in the 2014 [[Republic Day of India|Republic Day]] Honours.<ref name="Padma 2014" />

==Publications==
* {{cite web | url=http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/12352/1/NPR%201(4)%208-14.pdf | title=Seabuckthorn, A Wonder Plant |author1=A. S. Bawa |author2=Farhath Khanum |author3=Brahma Sngh | publisher=NISCAIR | date=2014 | access-date=31 October 2014}}
* {{cite book | title=Advances in Protected Cultivation | publisher=New India Publishing Agency | author=Singh, Brahma, Balraj Singh | year=2014 | pages=248 | isbn=9789383305179}}
* {{cite web | url=http://www.societyfornewageherbals.com/ScientificLiterature.html | title=Society for New Age Herbals | author=Brahma Singh | publisher=Society for New Age Herbals | date=2014 | access-date=1 November 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205151829/http://www.societyfornewageherbals.com/ScientificLiterature.html | archive-date=5 December 2014 | url-status=dead }}

==See also==
{{Portal|India}}
{{Div col}}
* [[Leh]]
* [[G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology]]
* [[Indian Agricultural Research Institute]]
* [[Defence Research and Development Organization]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a2bi67UloQ | title=Felicitation to Padma Shree Dr.Brahma Singh by Noni Bio Tech | publisher=Noni Biotech | work=YouTube video | date=1 May 2014 | access-date=1 November 2014}}

{{2000s Padma Shri Award Recipients in Science & Engineering}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Brahma}}
[[Category:1941 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in science & engineering]]
[[Category:Scientists from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:People from Muzaffarnagar district]]
[[Category:Indian horticulturists]]
[[Category:Indian agriculturalists]]

Brahma Singh - Revision history

Riya parik at 15:42, 13 January 2026