On 25th April 2023, India lost a colossal figure of Indian politics and a remarkable statesman – Shri Parkash Singh Badal, former Chief Minister of Punjab. His demise has left a void in the Indian political landscape that cannot be filled easily. He was not only a visionary leader but also a humble human being who worked tirelessly for the betterment of his state and country. The news of his passing away has left the entire nation in grief.
As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, the Government of India has announced two days of State Mourning on 26th and 27th April, 2023, throughout India. During this time, the National Flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings where the National Flag is regularly flown. There will be no official entertainment on these two days.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, expressed his deep sorrow on the passing away of Shri Parkash Singh Badal. In a series of tweets, he paid tribute to the former Chief Minister of Punjab and remembered him as a great leader who contributed greatly to the nation.
“Extremely saddened by the passing away of Shri Parkash Singh Badal Ji. He was a colossal figure of Indian politics, and a remarkable statesman who contributed greatly to our nation. He worked tirelessly for the progress of Punjab and anchored the state through critical times.”
Shri Parkash Singh Badal’s contribution to Indian politics is unparalleled. He was the Chief Minister of Punjab for five terms, and during his tenure, he introduced several key reforms that transformed the state’s economy. His dedication to the welfare of farmers in Punjab is well-known, and he was instrumental in introducing the concept of agricultural diversification in the state.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Education
Shri Parkash Singh Badal was born on 8th December 1927, in Abul Khurana, Punjab. He completed his early education in the village and later graduated from the Forman Christian College, Lahore. He was an active participant in the Indian Independence Movement and was jailed several times for his role in it.
Political Career
Shri Parkash Singh Badal’s political career started in 1947 when he was elected as a Sarpanch of his village. He later joined the Akali Dal, a regional party in Punjab, and was first elected to the Punjab Legislative Assembly in 1957. He became the Chief Minister of Punjab for the first time in 1970 and served in that position for five terms.
During his tenure as Chief Minister, Shri Badal introduced several key reforms that transformed the state’s economy. He was instrumental in introducing the concept of agricultural diversification in Punjab, which helped farmers to grow crops other than wheat and rice. He also played a crucial role in establishing Punjab as the leading state in the country in terms of infrastructure development.
| Year | Position |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Elected as Sarpanch of his village |
| 1957 | Elected to the Punjab Legislative Assembly |
| 1969 | Elected as the Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Legislative Assembly |
| 1970-1971 | First Term as Chief Minister of Punjab |
| 1977-1980 | Second Term as Chief Minister of Punjab |
| 1997-2002 | Third Term as Chief Minister of Punjab |
| 2002-2007 | Fourth Term as Chief Minister of Punjab |
| 2007-2012 | Fifth Term as Chief Minister of Punjab |
| 2012-2017 | Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab |
Contributions to Indian Politics
Shri Parkash Singh Badal’s contribution to Indian politics is unparalleled. He was a great statesman who contributed greatly to the nation’s progress. He was a staunch supporter of federalism and was a key figure in the establishment of the North Zone Cultural Centre in Patiala.
Shri Badal’s dedication to the welfare of farmers in Punjab is well-known. He was instrumental in introducing several measures to improve the condition of farmers in the state. He also played a crucial role in the establishment of the Punjab Agricultural University, which is now one of the leading agricultural universities in the country.
Awards and Recognitions
Shri Parkash Singh Badal was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 for his contribution to Indian politics. He was also awarded the Shiromani Award in 2009, the highest civilian award given by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, for his lifelong service to the Sikh community. He was also recognized for his efforts to improve the agricultural sector in Punjab and was awarded the Krishi Ratna Award in 2006.
Apart from these, Badal received several other awards and honors throughout his career, including the Punjab Ratan Award, the Shiromani Patrakar Award, and the Panchnad Award for Journalism. He was also honored by the University of Wolverhampton in the United Kingdom, which conferred upon him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contributions to Indian politics and society.
Despite his numerous accolades, Badal remained grounded and committed to serving his constituents. He continued to work tirelessly for the welfare of the people of Punjab until his retirement from active politics in 2017. His legacy, however, lives on, as he will always be remembered as a true son of Punjab and a great leader who dedicated his life to serving his people.
Achievements as Chief Minister
During his tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Parkash Singh Badal implemented several initiatives aimed at improving the lives of the people of Punjab. Some of his notable achievements include:
Agricultural Reforms
Shri Parkash Singh Badal is known for his contribution to the agricultural sector in Punjab. He implemented several initiatives aimed at improving agricultural productivity and the income of farmers. Some of these initiatives include:
- Providing free electricity to farmers for irrigation
- Introducing the concept of contract farming
- Promoting the use of modern technology in farming
Infrastructure Development
During his tenure as Chief Minister, Shri Parkash Singh Badal implemented several infrastructure development projects aimed at improving connectivity and promoting economic growth. Some of these projects include:
- The construction of the Chandigarh-Ludhiana Expressway
- The construction of the Bathinda-Muktsar road
- The development of the Mohali International Airport
Social Welfare
Shri Parkash Singh Badal also implemented several initiatives aimed at improving the social welfare of the people of Punjab. Some of these initiatives include:
- Providing free healthcare to the poor through the Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima Yojana
- Providing free education to girls up to the university level through the Mai Bhago Vidya Scheme
- Providing financial assistance to the widows of farmers who committed suicide through the Punjab Farmers’ Welfare Scheme
Legacy
Shri Parkash Singh Badal’s contributions to the state of Punjab have been immense. He has dedicated his life to serving the people of Punjab, and his efforts have brought about significant improvements in the state’s agricultural, social, and economic sectors. He has also been instrumental in promoting peace and harmony in the state.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Shri Parkash Singh Badal was a towering figure in Indian politics who left an indelible mark on the state of Punjab and the nation as a whole. His contributions to agriculture, education, and infrastructure development have had a lasting impact on the lives of the people of Punjab. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of leaders and serve as a shining example of selfless service to the nation.
FAQs
- When did Shri Parkash Singh Badal pass away?
Shri Parkash Singh Badal passed away on 25th April 2023.
- What were some of Shri Parkash Singh Badal’s major contributions to Indian politics?
Shri Parkash Singh Badal made significant contributions to agriculture, education, and infrastructure development in Punjab. He also served as Chief Minister of Punjab five times, making him the longest-serving Chief Minister in the history of the state.
- What awards and honors did Shri Parkash Singh Badal receive during his career?
Shri Parkash Singh Badal received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Padma Vibhushan, the Shiromani Award, the Krishi Ratna Award, and the Punjab Ratan Award.
- What was Shri Parkash Singh Badal’s legacy?
Shri Parkash Singh Badal’s legacy is that of a selfless and dedicated leader who worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people of Punjab. He will always be remembered as a true son of Punjab and a great leader who left an indelible mark on Indian politics.
- How did the Indian government pay respect to Shri Parkash Singh Badal after his passing?
The Indian government declared a two-day State Mourning period on 26th and 27th April 2023, during which the National Flag was flown at half-mast and no official entertainment was held, as a mark of respect to the departed dignitary.
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