IK GUJRAL, ONE OF THE GREATEST SONS OF PUNJAB, A SECULAR DEMOCRAT, AND A WORLD LEADER : SAYS BADAL

• "Mr. Gujral's services were needed at this critical hour in Indo-Pak relations"
• CM GRATEFULLY RECALLS "COURAGEOUS DEBT WAIVER" OF 8500 CRORE 
• SUKHBIR CONDOLES FORMER PRIME MINISTER I.K. GUJRAL’S DEMISE

Chandigarh, November 30 - "Punjab today has lost one of its greatest and most illustrious sons and the country one of its most brilliant and tallest leaders of the post independence era.

The world is poorer this hour  by the departure of a visionary statesmen who will long be remembered as an outstanding champions of  international peace and understanding. I am really  short of words to express just how big the loss is for me personally and for all of us in Punjab and the country. Today, I am without one of my best and most trustworthy friends,  a great and sensitive gentleman whose heart was always overflowing with love for Punjab  and its people,""

     This is how the Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal reacted when informed about the sad demise of former Prime Minister of India Mr Inder Kumar Gujral earlier today. 

     Mr. Badal air-dashed to Delhi to be with the family of  " a true liberal and secular democrat" in this hour of "huge personal and  national loss."  

    "This is a particularly  sad blow at this time as Gujral  Sahib was among the greatest champions of peace and friendly relations between India and Pakistan. His vision, commitment and his ability to persevere with his efforts towards bringing the two countries together are just beginning to bear fruit. I wish he had remained with us at this crucial juncture in Indo-Pak ties,"  said Mr. Badal 

     Later, in a statement issued through the Chief Minister's Office, Mr. Badal said that the country at large and the people of Punjab in particular would think of Mr. Gujral with   'fond gratitude'. "The role Mr. Gujral played in lending immense global stature to the Indian voice on the world stage and the finesse with which he addressed and resolved many of the most intricate issues of foreign policy will continue to inspire the lovers of peace and understanding among countries of the world, especially in this region and even more especially in the context of India-Pakistan ties," said the Chief Minister 

      Mr. Badal  said that the people fo Punjab will never forget the daring and decisive role played by Gujral Sahib in helping his state get rid of the crippling Special Term Loan of Rs.8500 crores which the state had incurred in fighting the nation's battle during the days of militancy. "The memory of the moment in which Gujral Sahib as Prime Minister  waived the entire loan off with just a mild but firm stroke of his pen is still etched deep in my mind. We took about 21 most difficult  issues of the state to Gujral Sahib and he took just 11 minutes to solve all those and to issue clear orders then and there. This was  one of the happiest moments in my public and personal  life and a great moment for Punjab," said Mr. Badal.

      Mr. Badal recalled his long association with Mr. Gujral and said that the former Prime Minister always rose above the constraints of his political affiliation to stand by the people of  his state. "Gujral Sahib was always very keen to resolve the issues of Punjab and always threw his weight behind the demands that we were fighting for.  He was a true champion of peace and communal harmony in Punjab. Despite being in the Congress, Mr. Gujral raised his voice courageously against injustice done to the people of his state and wanted a peaceful resolution of all issues. The role he played during and after the 1984 massacre of innocent Sikhs will always be remembered," said the Chief Minister. 

   The Chief Minister said that Mr Gujral’s forthright initiatives in fostering goodwill, trust, peace and amity in Indian Subcontinent especially in strengthening Indo-Pak relations would ever be remembered by one and all. Later these initiatives popularly known as ‘Gujral Doctrine’ were widely admired in the international polity in bringing peace and friendship besides improving bilateral ties between India and Pakistan, which originally laid the foundation of  the ongoing steps taken in the form of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to further smoothen relations between both the countries.  He said that being a multi faceted personality Mr Gujral was an institution in himself, who played a proactive role in promoting the ethos of democracy by strengthening the bonds of national integration, communal harmony and universal brotherhood besides a true champion of freedom of Press. Having deep regard and passion for Punjabi culture, language and literature, he was a true votary of Punjab, Punjabi and Panjabiat, added Mr Badal.  

   Terming Mr Gujral’s demise as a personal loss, the Chief Minister said in his death a void has been created in the national as well as international polity, which was hard to be filled in near future. Mr Badal said in the passing away of Mr Gujral he has lost a true friend, a guide and a philosopher to whom he always held him in high esteem and reverence.

   Sharing his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family especially his son and Rajya Sabha MP Mr Naresh Gujral, and other members of the family the Chief Minister prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and for courage and srength to family , friends and followers to bear this huge loss". 

SUKHBIR CONDOLES FORMER PRIME MINISTER I.K. GUJRAL’S DEMISE

    The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal and Public Relations and Information Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Mr. I.K. Gujral (92), former Prime Minister of India, who passed away after prolonged illness at New Delhi today.

In a condolence message they said that Mr. Gujral, the first Punjabi Prime Minister would be dearly remembered by the people of Punjab for his benevolence for waiving the loan during his term and sanctioning Pushpa Gujral Science City for the state. They said that he always raised the issues concerning Punjab in Delhi in a forceful way.

They expressed their heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed to Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the family members to bear this irreparable loss.