LAMBI: The 97th birth anniversary of five times chief minister Parkash Singh Badal was commemorated as Sadbhavana Divas with a Kirtan Samagam, blood donation camp and inauguration of a life size statue of the late Akali patriarch marking the day.
The event witnessed participation from thousands of people from the Lambi constituency, all of whom came to commemorate the birth anniversary of the late leader who is known as a veritable savior in the area.
Speaking after culmination of the Kirtan Samagam, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal said he was filled with emotion since morning but when he witnessed the emotions of the ‘sangat’ he realized the former chief minister loved his people even more than his family.
Describing Mr Parkash Singh Badal as an evergreen tree which provided succor to the entire ‘quom’, the SAD president said if he had to describe the late leader in a few words he would say the Akali patriarch was a nationalist who was ready for any sacrifice for his country and quom. He said Mr Badal was a secular leader who always thought about Sarbat da Bhala. “A democrat who listened to all shades of opinion. A person known for his punctuality and simplicity. Humble to the core. One who truly believed in the adage ‘Raj Nahi Sewa’. Someone who preserved the culture and heritage of Punjab, and ameliorated the lot of the poor besides delivering on his promises”.
Mr Badal also sought the blessings of the ‘sangat’ promising to lead the SAD with the same zest and sincerity as S Parkash Singh Badal and promised to devote his entire life to this purpose. He also undertook responsibility for continuing with the social programmes undertaken by the former chief minister in Lambi constituency on the occasion.
He also inaugurated a life size statue of Sardar Badal along with Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Manpreet Singh Badal, Jannayak Janata Dal (JJP) president Ajay Chautala and Haryana deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala. The statue, which was prepared by the Chautala family, has been placed alongside a statue of Lok Nayak Ch Devi Lal which had been installed by Sardar Parkash Singh Badal at the site earlier. Speaking on the occasion, the SAD president said “two brothers have finally been reunited today. Badal Sahab has joined his lifelong friend with whom he had a bond even stronger than that of siblings. Now this space is really complete. I pray to the almighty that this bond between the two families may grow stronger with every generation. My gratitude to Mr Ajay Chautala ji and Mr Dushyant Chautala ji for making this possible”.
The SAD president and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal also inaugurated a blood donation camp held at the Civil Hospital, Badal in line with the blood donation camps held in all constituencies of the State by the SAD to mark Sadbhavana Divas. A medical check-up camp was also held on the occasion. Senior leader Balwinder Singh Bhundar and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) president Abhey Chautala were also present on the occasion.
The SAD president and the Bathinda MP also visited the Mata Jaswant Kaur Memorial School at Badal village and presided over the Founders Day celebrations. Later Mr Sukhbir Badal also attended the Founders Day function of the Malwa School, Gidderbaha. -