On his 98th birth anniversary, Parkash Singh Badal received heartfelt tributes glowing and reverent from leaders spanning the entire political spectrum
By Amrit Pal Singh Sidhu
Badal, December 8
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal today paid glowing tributes to five time Chief minister S Parkash Singh Badal by referring to him as a true nationalist and the voice of Punjab, even while vowing he would follow in the footsteps of his father and never compromise on the prestige of Punjab, Punjabis, the Khalsa Panth and the SAD.
Speaking after the culmination of the Akhand Paath held to mark the 98th birth anniversary of the late leader, the SAD president said “Badal Sahab was a true “Vikaspursh” who did more during his tenures as chief minister as compared to all the chief ministers of the State. “See all around you, you will see his projects. He was also responsible for single-handedly improving the livelihood of farmers and the poor through innovative schemes. This is the reason why people from all walks of life and religions used to say Badal Sahab was one of them”.
Asserting that the SAD was committed to taking forward Badal Sahab’s legacy, Sukhbir Badal said he was ready to give any sacrifice to achieve this. He also appealed to Punjabis to support him in this endeavour stating “we cannot experiment any longer. We need to save Punjab. The SAD has the vigour and the will power to take the State out of its current mess and put it back on the track of development and prosperity”.
Badal also inaugurated a 12.5 foot statue of the late leader in the village amidst slogans of “Sardar Parkash Singh Badal Amar Rahe” by his followers and Shiromani Akali Dal workers. The statue has been sculpted by Gurpreet Singh Dhuri. A huge 70 feet tall flag of the Shiromani Akali Dal had also been installed alongside the statue. The SAD president also disclosed that a Museum depicting the late leader’s life, achievements and philosophy would be established in the village and that the same architect who had envisaged the Virasat -I-Khalsa would be commissioned for this project.
The event saw leaders offering heartfelt tributes to Mr Parkash Singh Badal, a man of distinction. INLD president Abhey Singh Chautala praised Badal Sahab's tireless efforts for the poor and downtrodden, then made an impassioned plea: commemorate his birth anniversary as 'Sadbhavana Divas'—a day of harmony and goodwill.
Senior BJP leaders Manpreet Singh Badal and Surjit Kumar Jyani spoke on how the late leader had won universal appreciation from one and all including serving Prime Ministers. They said Mr Parkash Singh Badal did not only dream big but also realised his dreams by working tirelessly for the betterment of Punjab.Former Bathinda Baljit Singh Bir Behman and other leaders attended the program.
CPI leader Hardev Arshi recounted how the late leader had done the most for the downtrodden. He said it was Mr Badal who had introduced widow pension in 1979 besides repairing Dharamshalas and starting pro- poor schemes like aata - daal and shagun. Senior SAD leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder spoke on how Mr Badal never compromised on his principles by recounting how the late leader had opposed Emergency despite allurements from Indira Gandhi.