I was born in Punjab in India in 1927 and completed my early education at Ahmed Garh and Raipur. I attended the Government College at Ludhiana and graduated with a B.Sc. degree. I trained as a teacher (B.T.) and taught science at my old school. I declined a teaching post in Patiala and migrated to Nairobi, Kenya in 1953.

I joined Racecourse Secondary School in 1953, which became ESS later. I organised the science club, the Duke of Edinburghh awards scheme and inter school athletics meetings. I coached the hockey team and was also a House Master. My interest in hockey umpiring developed for me to become an official umpire, first in Kenya and then in Canada. I went on to gain the international hockey umpires certificate.

In 1966, I completed a M.Sc. course in Zoology from Depauw University, Greencastle, Indiana and then taught 'A' level classes at Sarnia Institute in Canada. After my M.Ed. from Wayne, I was appointed Head of science with responsibility for curriculum development. I wrote an instructional guide for biology teachers, which is still in use in the county.

I am married to Balbir and we have a son, Navtej who is now a doctor in Australia. We unfortunately lost our daughter Amrit, aged 17, during an operation in 1989. I retired in 1992 and am enjoying my golf, community and social work. I now spend most of my time working as a volunteer for a regulatory body that looks after the dental professionals in Sarnia.