RICH TRIBUTES PAID TO PANTH RATTAN JATHEDAR GURCHARAN SINGH TOHRA

TOHRA (PATIALA) APRIL 1, 2008

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the rank and file of Shiromani Akali Dal to follow the ideology of Panth Rattan Jathedar Sardar Gurcharan Singh Tohra, who spent his entire life tirelessly in the selfless service of the Sikh Panth.

Paying homage to Jathedar Tohra on his 4th death anniversary during a state level function here at his native village while addressing a massive gathering, Mr. Badal said that Jathedar Tohra led a simple life for the sole cause of Sikh Panth that would act as a beacon for the younger generations to tread on the path of righteousness shown by him. He said that he was a multifaceted personality who ruled over the hearts of millions of people by his qualities of head and heart. He was not merely a human being but an institution that propagated the concept of value based politics through out his life and never compromised with those principles that guided the destiny of Sikh Panth till his last breath.

Mr.Badal further said that Jathedar Tohra's life was a fine blend of religious, political and social aspects. The Chief Minister pointed out that Jathedar Tohra was a man of rare intellect and a think tank of Akali politics. Mr.Badal said the SAD-BJP government would strive hard to cherish the aspirations of Jathedar Tohra as he was always keen to see his party Shiromani Akali Dal in power. He said that Jathedar Tohra was instrumental in spreading education every nook and corner of the state and established reputed engineering, medical and arts colleges and many public schools during his tenure as President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee spanning over 26 years.

On the religious front, Mr.Badal mentioned that as a part of the year long Gurta-Gaddi Celebrations, the GoI had sanctioned Rs.100 crore for the integrated development of Sri Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo besides approving the state government's proposal for the construction of Guru Gobind Singh Marg from Sri Anandpur Sahib to Sri Hazoor Sahib (Nanded) Via Talwandi Sabo. Mr.Badal said that he had personally impressed upon the Union Home Minister Mr.Shiv Raj Patil who is the Chairman of the National Committee on the commemoration of Gurta Gaddi Celebrations for the clearance of these projects related to the this prestigious mega event. He said that even the Chief Ministers of Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, M.P and Maharashtra had also agreed in principle for the construction of Guru Gobind Singh Marg.

Mr.Badal also released a calendar on the panth rattan Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra on his 4th anniversary brought out by his family members on the occasion.

In his address SAD President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Jathedar Tohra was the guiding spirit for the Shiromani Akali Dal and SGPC. He said that the real tribute to Jathedar Tohra would be to promote his ideology for which he lived and died. He impressed upon the younger generation especially the youth Akali Dal to follow the legacy of Panth Rattan Jathedar Tohra. He said that we should take a solemn pledge to work united and whole heartedly for establishing a permanent govt. of SAD-BJP not only for five years but for 25-30 years in the State. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal outlined the broad development initiatives taken by the government under the able leadership of Mr.Parkash Singh Badal from the day one since he assumed the office as Chief Minister. He blamed Congress for blatantly ignoring the interests of the state during its last regime of Capt. Amarinder Singh. He said that the battle for seeking justice from Centre would continue till all of our demands were not accepted in toto. He also promised to secure an attractive MSP before the sowing of paddy in line with GoI's earlier decision taken in regard to an increase in the MSP of wheat to Rs.1000 per quintal. He said that we would continue our struggle to get further hike in the MSP of wheat to at least Rs.1600 per quintal as the Centre was exporting wheat from Australia higher than the fixed MSP to the tune of Rs.1700-1900 per quintal.

Unfolding the plans for over all development and progress in the state, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Punjab would be transformed from a power deficit to power surplus state within next three years with additional generation capacity of 8000 to 10000 MW. He hoped that the day was not very far off when Punjab would be selling extra Power to the other states. He said that the state Irrigation and Drainage Department had undertaken a massive programme at a cost of Rs.3200 crore for the de-silting and lining of the canals and water courses to enhance the intake capacity of water for irrigation purposes by at least 30% especially at the tail ends in the Malwa region. He said that new express highways had been approved including the 4-lanning of Chandigarh-Ludhiana-Ferozepur-Hussainiwala, Chandigarh-Bathinda besides 8 lanning Amabala-Jalandhar He said that Mohali International Airport would be soon made operational as the modalities for the acquisition of land had been completed for handing over to the Airport Authority of the India. Mr.Sukbir Singh Badal said that Punjab government had dedicated year 2008 as a development year.

Speaking on the occasion, SGPC President Mr. Avtar Singh paid homage to the Jathedar Tohra for his outstanding contribution towards the promotion of educational institutions run by SGPC. He said that we should strive hard to perpetuate the philosophy of Jathedar Tohra who led a relentless battle against the social evils of drug addiction and female foeticide.

Paying tributes to Jathedar Tohra, Local Government & Industry Minister Manoranjan Kalia said that his role in the emergency movement would be ever remembered by one and all because he was pioneer in raising rebellion against the proclamation of emergency in 1977 along with Mr.Parkash Singh Badal. He said that even his father Mr.Manmohan Kalia was also imprisoned in the Ferozepur jail during the emergency.
On the occasion, veteran Akali Leader Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi presented a sword to President Shiromani Akali Dal Mr.Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Earlier, former Minister Mr.Harmail Singh Tohra and wife Kuldeep Kaur also paid homage to the Jathedar Tohra and thanked the Sangat for attending participating in the function.

Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Deputy Speaker Lok Sabha Charanjit Singh Atwal, Cooperation Minister Capt. Kanwaljit Singh, Jail & Tourism Minister Mr. Hira Singh Gabria, Revenue Minister Ajit Singh Kohar, Member Parliament & Secretary General Shiromani Akali Dal Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal , Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra (both SAD General Secretaries), former Member Parliament Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal, former SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar, former MLA Surjit Singh Rakhra, Mr.Surjit Singh Kohli, Mr.Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur and Mr.Sikandar Singh Maluka (former Ministers), Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr.Bikramjit Singh Khalsa, General Secretary SGPC Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, MLA Ghanaur Madan Lal Jalalpur besides the senior leaders of SAD-BJP and members of the SGPC