"Mrs. Kamala Mair was in a class by herself. She was an institution that upheld values of humility, love, and compassion. She carried with her an imprint of Lakhnavi culture where she was brought up and educated."
-Dr. K.L. Johar
Former Vice Chancellor, GJU Hisar
Pro Vice Chancellor, Kurukshetra University
Dr. Kamala Mair, PhD (1918-1998)
First Principal of D.A.V. College for Girls, Yamunanagar
Poet, author, philosopher, Vedic scholar, classical musician, and advocate for women's empowerment
अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विज। होतारं रत्नधातमम। ऋग्वेद
Life Story of Dr. Kamala Mair
Early Life
Dr. Mair belonged to a family that long valued education for men and women alike. She was raised in Lucknow (the center of art, culture, and music), where her father, Mr. Dhyan Chand ji, was a civil engineer. Her uncles were doctors, engineers, or barristers. Her maternal grandfather, Mr. Kripa Ram ji, a civil engineer, was honored with the title Rai Sahab, for his outstanding service. Her mother, Mrs. Durga Devi ji, was a highly educated and enlightened woman. She was President of All India Women's Conference, Lucknow chapter, and worked with prominent women leaders including Sarojini Naidu and Vijay Lakshmi Pandit during India's freedom struggle.
Growing up against that rich backdrop, Dr. Mair thrived culturally and academically. She graduated with a gold medal from the prestigious Isabella Thoburn College, aka I.T. College, Lucknow, in 1938. (She was one of only two Hindu students there; the rest were Christians and Anglo-Indians). She majored in English, Philosophy, and Psychology, and was the editor of the college magazine.
Dr. Mair also received extensive training in classical vocal and instrumental music (sitar), won a gold medal in a coveted vocal music contest, and had an opportunity to sing on All India Radio, Lucknow. Music would become an integral part of her life to follow.
Dr. Mair's brother, Mr. Raj Pal Singh, was selected as an ICS officer in the 1930's, which was a rare honor at the time, and he enjoyed a brilliant career. Both of her sisters, Mrs. Leela Vati Soorma and Mrs. Ramindra Bhatt, were successful career women.
Marriage and Family
Dr. Mair got married to Dr. Om Parkash on Nov. 20th, 1940 in Lucknow. Dr. Om Parkash had graduated from the prestigious King Edward Medical College, Lahore. He was an active sportsman in college, a trait inherited by both of his sons, who became ace cricketers (one a college captain, and the other university captain). While still in college, he lost his father, so he took care of his mother and four much younger siblings. Mrs. Mair supported him wholeheartedly and made many sacrifices in the process.
After a few years in Civil Service, Dr. Om Parkash moved to Yamunanagar, Haryana (then Punjab), in 1946 as the physician of Saraswati Sugar Mills. The little town grew rapidly as tens of thousands of Punjabi families migrated there after India's partition in 1947. Dr. Om Parkash started his own practice in 1952 and became an eminent physician in town. He was respected for his kind heart, generosity and for not using his profession as a business. The couple had three children: Prabhakar and Manjula, who are well settled in the U.S., and Dr. Diwakar who is a renowned surgeon in Gurgaon.
Career
Dr. Mair continued her literary and cultural pursuits after marriage as a devout reader with a true quest for knowledge and wisdom. In 1958, Mr. J.N. Kapur and local community leaders decided to start a much-needed college for girls in Yamunanagar. They invited Dr. Mair, who was known as a scholarly lady in town, to get involved and help. With full support from her husband, she decided to take a step that would lead to a glorious journey. She became the first lecturer at the new D.A.V. College for Girls. She worked part-time, taught different subjects, and simultaneously did her M.A. in Hindi from Punjab University, through independent study. Interestingly, Hindi was not even her subject in college, but in a small town she could find an instructor only for Hindi. She passed with distinction and became a full-time professor. In 1965, she became the first official Principal of the college. (Until then, there were only officiating Principals there.) In 1971, at age 53, In 1971, she attained a PhD degree in Hindi from Punjab University.
Dr. Mair was credited for her hard work and dedication towards establishing the college in the early years, which was a daunting task because of a shortage of funds and resources. She graciously donated half of her salary to the college throughout her service. (She chose to keep the donation anonymous.) After 20 years of toil and struggle, when she retired in 1978, the college was thriving and had moved to a new location where it proudly stands today. With the admirable work of the Principals to follow, it is now rated as the top girls' college in Kurukshetra University.
(With all humility if I may say: To Dr. Mair's great joy, her daughter, [I, Manjula Mair] brought considerable pride and respect to the college, in the late 1960's, as one of the university toppers throughout, and an "All-Rounder" student to win awards in inter-college contests.)
A Fresh Start in Life
A year after her retirement, at age 61, Dr. Mair lost her husband unexpectedly to a heart attack on May 23rd, 1979. This was a turning point in her life. Suddenly, she had to leave her home and hometown where she was so well established and respected. Her faith and steps didn't falter in the face of adversity. She mustered all her strength and moved to Gurgaon to live with her son Dr. Diwakar and soon created a meaningful life immersed in community service, and spiritual, literary, intellectual and cultural pursuits. (In 1985, when her older son, Mr. Prabhakar moved back to YN, she divided her time between Gurgaon and YN.)
Faith and Spirituality
Dr. Mair's entire life was guided by strong faith and spirituality based on Vedic philosophy. Soon after moving to Gurgaon, she got actively involved with the Arya Samaj in Sector 4. She served as President of the Ladies' Samaj there for the rest of her life. She would give regular discourses there as an exponent of the Vedic scriptures. During her visits to the U.S., she managed to find an Arya Samaj group in the Bay Area as well, where she was invited regularly to give spiritual talks.
Women's Empowerment
Dr. Mair started a sewing school for underprivileged girls in Arya Samaj (Sector 4, Gurgaon). Geared towards women's empowerment, the school provides free training to girls and gives them a sewing machine when they get married, enabling them to make a living on their own.
Following in the footsteps of her mother, Dr. Mair had started a chapter of All India Women's Conference in YN, which gave free education to slum children and taught employment skills to underprivileged women.
Dr. Mair was also a patron/board-member of D.A.V. Polytechnic for Women in YN.
(Keeping up with her as well as her husband's strong conviction, Dr. Mair did not accept any dowry at both of her sons' wedding; a tradition that her children are determined to honor.)
Literary Pursuits
Dr. Mair was an avid reader and a prolific writer. For her PhD thesis, she wrote a book titled Reeti Kaal ke Pramukh Kaviyon ka Jeevan Darshan (Prominent Reeti Kaal Poets, and their Philosophy of Life). She studied Vedic scriptures and Hindu philosophy extensively. She penned beautiful devotional poems and philosophical thoughts, which she published in two booklets titled Yachna (1994) and Vandana (1997). She wrote short stories as well. During the last year of her life, when close to age 80, (a bit frail physically but amazingly sharp mentally), she was writing a book titled A Comparative Study of Western and Eastern Philosophy. Though still in rough draft stage and nowhere near completion, a collection of about a hundred pages that she wrote reflects her in-depth knowledge of and keen interest in the intriguing subject of philosophy. The writings also show her perfect command over the language (English, in this case) and her flair for writing.
She wrote articles for magazines, mostly related to women's issues.
Dr. Mair remained involved with D.A.V. College at YN even after her retirement. She also served on the advisory board of M.L.N. College in YN during that period. She was Founder/President of Hindi Sahitya Sabha in YN and a member of many literary societies.
In 1988, Dr. Mair’s biography was included in Reference Asia, a publication that features Asia’s who’s who of men and women of achievement and distinction.
Patronage of Classical Music
Dr. Mair was an artist at heart. An accomplished vocalist and sitarist herself, she was respected as a patron of classical music and all forms of performing arts. She taught classical music to all three of her children, while giving her daughter, Manjula, comprehensive training for 18 years in vocal and instrumental music (sitar).
Dr. Mair would arrange music programs at home, sometimes hosting legendary artists. She was the founder of Haryana Sangeet Kala Kendra (YN), and a patron of Vishwas Sangeet Parishad (YN), which continues to promote Indian classical music through a music festival and concerts where artists of national acclaim have been giving performances. She also wrote articles for the well-respected "Sangeet" magazine and created a few music compositions of her own.
(She also played two rare instruments: Israj and Jal Tarang, and as mentioned above won a gold medal for singing, and performed at All India Radio, Lucknow during her early life.)
Creative Flair
Dr. Mair had an innate flair for artistic creativity. She was well versed at embroidery, knitting, sewing, crochet, etc. She was a gourmet cook, and she enjoyed food decoration, home décor and gardening. She took inspiration from well-known Indian and Western magazines.
Influence on Grandchildren
Dr. Mair was a great influence on her grandchildren. She helped them with their studies from school to college level and even wrote prize-winning speeches for some of them who were in speech/debate at college level.
Respect in Community
As a public figure and a family woman, Dr. Mair naturally faced challenging situations at times, but to her credit, she invariably took the high road and managed to maintain a good relationship with everyone that she dealt with, whether they supported or opposed her viewpoint. She was known for her poise, admired for her elegance and humility, and revered for her intellectual prowess.
On May 11th, 1998, at age 80, Dr. Kamala Mair left for her heavenly abode, an event that she had been waiting for with open arms, as her poetry would indicate. A day before, she had delivered a Sunday discourse at Arya Samaj (Sector 4) in Gurgaon. Her unfaltering faith, intense devotion, tremendous spiritual strength, and life of piety culminated in a saintly departure of the soul, devoid of pain and suffering. Two memorials were held: one at the Arya Samaj in Gurgaon, and the other at D.A.V. College, YN. Many literary, spiritual, and community leaders paid homage and mourned the loss.
The women's sewing school at Arya Samaj, Sector 4, Gurgaon was named after her. Each year a special prayer event is held at the Samaj to commemorate her death anniversary.
The Yoga Center at D.A.V. College, YN has also been named after her by the Principal, Dr. Sushma Arya.