15/08/2013
In Memoriam
Today is the death anniversary of Dr Jagdish Singh Sarkaria - after whom this botanical garden in Panchkula is now named - who passed away on August 15, 2004 at the age of 85. Almost till the end Dr J S Sarkaria, the founder and honorary curator of this garden, was personally tending to these plants which he so dearly loved, spending many many long hours in the greenhouses looking after their growth and propagation. As per his wishes, after he passed away, his ashes were sprinkled in this garden as well as in Kiratpur Sahib ... So please do remember, as you view these plants, all the love that went into making this place. It is only through continuous devotion and attention, not empty talk, that things like this amazing garden - the one and only of its kind in India at least - come into being.
Before turning to full-time botanical exploration and growing and collecting, particularly of succulent plants, Dr J S Sarkaria had served as a brilliant surgeon in the P.C.M.S. for many years. And before even that, he had distinguished himself under enemy fire in Burma during the Great War, as a doctor in the I.M.S. in the Army. Ignoring all personal risk, he had kept operating once in a field hospital under continuous bombardment for many days, for which act he was cited for bravery. His is truly a tough act for any of us to emulate, but by dedicating ourselves to whatever we do we can try at least ...
