New Delhi: PhD From Cambridge, B.Tech and M.Tech from IIT and former Cipla strategy officer – these are just some leaves from the successful academic and professional journey of Jasdeep Singh Gill who has now been named as the successor of the head of Radha Soami Satsang Beas. Gurinder Singh Dhillon is the current head of the Radha Soami Satsang Beas.
Radha Soami Satsang Beas is a spiritual organisation on the banks of the river Beas, about 45 km from Amritsar, that commands a substantial following both within India and abroad.
The announcement was made by current dera head Gurinder Singh Dhillon on Monday, according to a statement issued by the dera. Gill will be the sixth spiritual head of the sect since it was formed, when Jaimal Singh was appointed its chief, who was followed by Sawan Singh, Jagat Singh, Charan Singh, and Gurinder Singh Dhillon.
"Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon has nominated Jasdeep Singh Gill, son of Sukhdev Singh Gill, as patron of the Radha Soami Satsang Beas Society with immediate effect from September 2, 2024," said the statement.
The announcement was confirmed by RSSB secretary Devender Kumar Sikri. Once Gill acquires the position, he will have the spiritual authority to give initiation (naam).
“Babaji has expressed that, like he has received full support and love of the sangat after huzoor Maharaj ji, he has wished and requested that the same love and affection be given to Jasdeep Singh Gill in carrying out his sewa as patron as well as sant Satguru,” said the Sikri.
Who Is Jasdeep Singh Gill?
Dhillon is the nephew of Charan Singh, the previous head of the dera, while Jasdeep Singh Gill is the grandson of Dhillon's 'masi' (mother's sister). Gill's father Sukhdev Singh Gill, a retired colonel of the Indian Army, has been involved with the Dera for more than twenty years. Jasdeep has been visiting and doing “sewa” (service) at the Dera for the last thirty years, as per reports.
Jasdeep Singh Gill has done PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Cambridge, master degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and B.Tech and M.Tech in biochemical engineering and biotechnology from Indian Institute of technology, Delhi.
He resigned from the position of the Chief Strategy Officer and other senior management positions in Cipla Limited where he served since 2019 up to May 2024. He has also been involved with Ethris and Achira Labs Private Limited as a board of observer and was the board of director of Wealthy Therapeutics up to March 2024. Some of his previous positions are an executive assistant to the CEO at Ranbaxy and president and chairman at Cambridge University Entrepreneurs.
The dera was established in India in 1891. Today, it has branches in more than 90 countries. Central to the dera teachings is a spiritual teacher who explains the purpose of life and guides and instructs members in a method of spirituality based on a daily meditation practice.