A timeless personality--a delightful memory.

A TIMELESS PERSONALITY-A DELIGHTFUL MEMORY " In the Flood of life in the storm of deeds I surge and ebb, Weaving to and fro An eternal sea A changing weaving A glowing life I create at the whirring loom of time And work the deities' living garb " (Goethe in Faust) The subject of this eulogy was a towering colossus among Indian scientists, who pioneered the study of neurosciences in the subcontinent. A handsome, cultured and dignified personality with a deep love for poetry, music, and philosophy, he was dedicated to the quest for knowledge and delighted in academic activity. He was an intellectual giant who became a legend in his own time. He generated awe and admiration amongst students, fellow neuroscientists with his qualities of human warmth and compassion. He could 'mesmerize' his audience, be it a classroom, a seminar room, a lecture theatre or an international gathering of selected experts in neurosciences. He knew the art of recognizing and nurturing the talents of eager young potential intellectuals looking for growth and development. He could feel at ease and generate inspiring bonds with the highest and lowest ranking person in the social hierarchy; be it a lab technician or a specialist in neurosciences in its various disciplines. He was a pillar of strength for all who knew him. He never spoke ill of anyone and always had a word of praise for his students and colleagues. He gave up a life of luxury, a lucrative medical practice and a well-settled family life, to satisfy his inner urge for knowledge and neuroscience. Those who knew him and his achievements of head and heart, will remember him with affection and immense gratitude for teaching and setting of standards of a role model as a selfless dedicated clinician, teacher and a neuroscientist. Because of his ever helpful disposition and readiness to embrace truth he could claim the veneration of a large number of students, patients and colleagues. He was not an individual but an institution. He is none other than the person called 'Grandfather Neurone' with reverence. His name was Dr. Baldev Singh whose 100 th birthday we are celebrating by paying our homage in this issue of IJJP. Only his physical form has parted but his spirit will always keep inspiring us to emulate him. His sub-caste was Vaid but he never used it with his name because of his secular …