Amritsar, January 16 (K. L. Jit Walia):Dr. Parvinder Kaur, the first Sikh woman member of the Australian Parliament, is currently on a visit to Punjab. A grand civic honour ceremony was organized today in her in-laws’ town of Nabha at Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha District Library under the leadership of Darshan Butter and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. Dr. Kaur was felicitated along with her husband and son.
Dr. Parvinder Kaur completed her BSc (Agriculture Honours) and MSc from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. She later went to Australia to pursue her PhD. After completing her doctorate, she secured employment there and today serves as a member of the Australian Parliament.
Her parents were not financially capable of supporting overseas education, as they were small farmers, and her father had retired from the army. When Parvinder Kaur expressed her desire to study in Australia, her father was initially hesitant. However, she explained that all her educational expenses would be covered by the university. Though her father found it hard to believe at first, with the family’s consent she went to Australia to pursue her PhD.
In Australia, she worked with exceptional dedication. During her research, she realized that individuals must first recognize their own talent and then utilize it effectively. She considers herself fortunate to have had the opportunity to conduct research in her favorite subject, DNA. After ten years of rigorous effort, she earned her PhD in 2010. Notably, she did not spend a single penny on her research, as all expenses were borne by the university.
Dr. Parvinder Kaur’s research proved highly beneficial in the field of livestock improvement in Australia. Certain elements in animal feed were found to generate excessive methane gas, which is considered responsible for depletion of the ozone layer. Nearly 40 percent of the country’s methane emissions were attributed to livestock. Through her research, significant progress was made in addressing this issue.
During the COVID-19 period, she conducted research revealing that the DNA code of the coronavirus is smaller than that of crops, yet it has a direct impact on human health. She successfully decoded the DNA code of the coronavirus.
So dedicated is Dr. Parvinder Kaur to research that she traveled abroad for her work leaving her 15-day-old newborn son with her family and husband, despite being entitled to six months of leave. Her parents supported her and provided her with the same facilities and respect as a son.
She is married to Amit, her classmate from the eleventh grade and a former academic competitor. Amit’s support and cooperation as a life partner have been commendable.
Dr. Parvinder Kaur is a multi-faceted personality. On January 17, she will meet media organizations in Chandigarh. She will be in New Delhi on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and on Friday she will visit Ludhiana to express her gratitude at her alma mater, Punjab Agricultural University.
KL JIT WALIA
