Born in a humble family in the far off village of Gundi, Poonch on 27th April 1931, Harbans Lal Maini, ‘Maini Saab’ as he was known to most, not only rose to the highest excellence in service and eminence in engineering circles due to his role in the making of illustrious projects such as Abhinav Theatre, New secretariat building, Govt Medical college Jammu, Zorwaar auditorioum, and the Shrine board University Katra; But also made an indelible position for himself in the hearts of everyone who chanced to have him in their life by his gentle and charming demeanour. Immediately upon completing his engineering degree from Punjab engineering College, Chandigarh in 1956, H.l. Maini was inducted as A.E in The PWD dept of J&K. The then Prime minister of J&K Bakshi Ghulam Mohd spotted the young engineer and recognized his potential. He directed him to construct a new secretariat building in Jammu, H.L. Maini completed these instructions most expediently, in a record period of six months. After this he served at many different posts of the state including JKPCC, JKTDC, Agro Industries, J&K Housing Board, etc in various positions of hierarchy, including the top commands at most places. During H.L. Maini got several awards in recognition of his meritious service, including Gold medals and citations from the J&K Governor three times. After his retirement as Chief engineer JKPCC in 1985, he was again asked to manage various organizations, such as Citizen Co- operative bank (Chairman), Public service commission (Member), as also an Advisor to Baba Ghulam University, Vaishno Devi University and the Jammu University. Maini saab was also associated with the Asscoms Batra hospital at Sidhra as a patron ,during which time he did his best to put the hospital in a place of great public benefit as also look into the needs of both the management and the medical staff. But it is perhaps his association with The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board which best enshrines his life role, talent, passion, selflessness and Bhakti. It was Maini saab who was responsible for making three new entry tunnels at the sanctum sanctorum to enable the ever growing numbers of devotees to have Holy Darshan of their beloved Ma. This is a task, which can never be accomplished by an ordinary human mortal unless it was backed by the Divine will of Mata Herself.
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