NEW DELHI, Dec 17: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called upon people to contribute in the fight against divisive forces that still threatened the country and said India’s freedom was built on the foundation of hard work by freedom fighters.
Speaking at a function held to release a postage stamp on former Punjab Chief Ministrer Sardar Beant Singh here, the Prime Minister said if society was largely peaceful and secular today, it was only because of the courage and patriotism of people like Beant Singh.
“Our freedoms are built on the foundation of their hard work and sacrifices. It is therefore our duty as citizens to contribute our bit in the fight against the divisive forces that still pose a threat to our country,” Dr Singh said.
He said Beant Singh was best remembered for providing strong and determined leadership to Punjab in very troubled times and as Chief Minister, he brought the state to normalcy after years of terrorist violence.
Restoring peace in Punjab during those difficult days was no easy task and it is a tribute to the extraordinary leadership qualities of Beant Singh that he succeeded in doing so, Dr Singh said.
Recalling Beant Singh’s long innings in public life, spanning over four decades, the Prime Minister said he had left a job in the Army at the age of 23 to serve the people and gone on to hold several important positions.
A public career which started with helping those whose life had been disrupted because of partition in 1947 culminated in the Chief Ministership of Punjab in 1992.
In the intervening years Beant Singh was Chairman of Block Samiti, five times member of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and Minister in the Punjab government.
He was also the president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee from 1986 to 1995.
From 1992 to 1995, as Chief Minister of Punjab, Beant Singh worked tirelessly for reconstruction and reconciliation, and for restoration of peace and harmony.
“He brought new hope to Punjab and laid the foundation for the state’s future progress,” Dr Singh added. (UNI)
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