Rich tributes paid to Bansi Lal

 by Haryananewswire

CHANDIGARH, JAN 11

 Rich tributes were paid to former Union Minister and Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal at a function here today where the Haryana Governor  Mr Jagannath Pahadia described him as a “true friend in need and deed” and “a man who changed the destiny of Haryana”, the Chief Minister Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda said, “ He is my role model for the aspect of development” and also termed Mr Bansi Lal as a “visionary and development minded”.

          Both Mr Pahadia and Mr Hooda were speaking after releasing a book entitled as  “Bansi Lal Life and Times, an illustrated chronicle” co-authored  by Dr Raghuvindra Tanwar and Mr Bansi Lal’s daughter Mrs Saroj Siwatch here today. The 251-page book has three sections and has been published in English as well as Hindi languages by S.Chand and Company. The foreword of the book has been written by former Prime Minister Mr I.K.Gujral. The book has more than  200 photographs reflecting various aspects of the life of Mr Bansi Lal.

          The Governor, who remained closely associated with Mr Bansi Lal, was reminiscent of the moments spent with Mr Bansi Lal and  narrated several instances. Mr Pahadia said that when he was Chief Minister of Rajasthan, by following the decision of Mr Bansi Lal, he too imposed prohibition in the State despite the fact that he was cautioned by the  party high command of the huge revenue loss which the State was to suffer with its implementation.

          Mr Pahadia said that Mr Bansi Lal had his own style of functioning. He said that although all aspects of the multi-faceted personality of Mr Bansi Lal could not be compiled in one book, this book  would inspire future generations and even guide the political leaders. He also complimented the authors of the book for the hard work they had done.

          The Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda credited Mr Bansi Lal for showing the path of development to Haryana and described him as a man of character, self respect and the one who was always in favour of the State to the extent that in such issues he did not care even for his own family. He said that we would try to realise his dream of development in the State.

          Mr Hooda said that   both his father Ch Ranbir Singh and Mr Bansi Lal were closely associated with each other and he was witness how Mr Bansi Lal became Chief Minister. He said that in the year 1968 when Mrs Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister, both his father and Mr Bansi Lal were MLAs. He said that his father was a contender for the post of Chief Minister as Mrs Gandhi wished to nominate him for the same, but one lobby was opposing it. At that time, Mrs Indira Gandhi was in London  and Mr Gulzari Lal Nanda proposed the name of Mr Bansi Lal for the post of Chief Minister and he became the Chief Minister of Haryana.

          Mr Hooda said that it was his father Ch Ranbir Singh who had made the proposal to have two separate States of Punjab and Haryana, but the big question was whether Haryana would become self reliant. During those days no one had thought ever that Mr Bansi Lal  would take Haryana so much forward.

          While referring to another aspect of Mr Bansi Lal’s life, Mr Hooda said that when in 1972, Mrs Gandhi allotted ticket to contest election to his elder brother, Mr Bansi Lal assured all help to his father Ch Ranbir Singh saying, “ I shall help your son”. Mr Hooda added, although both his father and Mr Bansi Lal had some differences, yet Mr Bansi Lal  assured all help. Mr Hooda said that his father too was of the view that if anyone had vision for development, it was Mr Bansi Lal.

          Mr Hooda said that it was the duty of all of us to follow the path of development as shown by Mr Bansi Lal.

          Both authors of the book, Dr Raghuvindra Tanwar and Mr Bansi Lal’s daughter Mrs Saroj Siwatch narrated some of the instances as mentioned in the book to reflect life of Mr Bansi Lal. They also appreciated the support of former IAS officer  late Mr R.D.Sheokant  in writing this book.

The son of Mr Bansi Lal, Mr Ranbir Singh Mahendra also spoke on the occasion.

Those present on the occasion included a number of foramer senior officers of State Government who had the opportunity to work with Mr Bansi Lal, officers of the State Government, members of the family of Mr Bansi Lal and relatives as well as well wishers.