Tryst with truth

At 22,while having a cup of tea,Ralph Neal saw an image,a vision,one that made him leave his life in the US and come to India in '70.

Written by Parul

January 16, 2009 03:33 AM IST

3 min read

A vision in New York led Ralph to India on a classic quest for truth. In his book,A Path to Follow,a Life to Lead the author shares his experiences,vision,learnings,fears & faith

At 22,while having a cup of tea,Ralph Neal saw an image,a vision,one that made him leave his life in the US and come to India in ’70. “There was a voice within me since childhood,my constant companion,and I saw it take form. What I was seeking for was the truth,the call took me on a pilgrimage to points unknown and to Baba Virsa Singh and it’s his message that I strive to interpret in my book,A Path to Follow,a Life to Lead,” Ralph Singh,an American who embraced Sikhism charts his journey,his life.

Ralph describes himself as an ordinary person with extraordinary life experiences,and these stories find way into the book,as he tries to share amazing spiritual instances which are his own or of others who personally felt them. The material world,shares Ralph had no meaning and it was truth that he yearned for and found it as the first foreign devotee of Baba Virsa Singh and the years in Gobind Sadan,under Baba’s wings. “Like any good student,I took class notes at Gobind Sadan,learning the language,a new way of life,philosophy and growing up again in the process. And all this finds way into the book,” Ralph talks about the importance of rising above oneself and involving oneself in community building.

The path,recalls Ralph wasn’t easy,there were fears,sufferings,frustrations,doubts,but he was able to overcome it all and arrive at a solid ground because of his commitment and search for faith. Over the last 33 years,Ralph has been involved with community building efforts,finding ways to define civil society,education development and teaching a course,Exploring Spirituality. “The idea of writing this book (printed by Sterling) is to share the blessings with everyone,help find light,dispel darkness,invoke the feelings of faith,forgiveness and galvanize the entire Sikh community,” Ralph believes spirituality is not to be sold for it’s not a commodity,but a driving force behind our life and not separate from anything,but an integral part of our life. The idea of spirituality,adds Ralph,is to overcome poverty,conflict,hatred,spread love,faith,beliefs and in the book through his own experiences Ralph shares a path that’s not torn away from reality. “We need to carry values into schools,remember where we come from and do away with the disconnect. The ultimate goal is to be better human beings,raise the bar,and never let anything bog you down,” Ralph inspires to seek peace and continue learning,discovering. “The toughest lesson is called life,and it’s still going on. Have an iron will,nerves of steel and don’t be afraid or get beaten down,” Ralph’s is thefinal word.

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:

chandigarh