'I lost a father figure:' PM Modi mourns Sardar Parkash Singh Badal demise

PTC News Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sardar Parkash Singh Badal was a father-figure for him and death of former Punjab CM was personal loss for him. 

While expressing grief over demise of Sardar Parkash Singh Badal , PM Modi said, “On the evening of April 25, when I got the news of the demise of Sardar Parkash Singh Badal Ji, I was filled with immense sadness.” “With his passing, I have lost a father figure who guided me for decades. In more than one ways, SAD patron shaped the politics of India and Punjab.” 

Sardar Badal Saab was a big leader is widely accepted. But, more importantly, he was a big-hearted human being. Being a big leader is easier but being a big-hearted person requires a lot more. People across Punjab say — there was something very different about Badal Saab! (‘Badal Saab ki baat alag thi’).

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It can be confidently said that Sardar Parkash Singh Badal was among the tallest leaders of our times. Agriculture was his real passion. Whenever he spoke on any occasion, his speeches were filled with facts, latest information and a lot of insight.

PM Modi further added that, “I had a close interaction with Badal Saab in 1990s when I was involved in party work in North India.” 

Sardar Parkash Singh Badal’s reputation preceded him - he was a political stalwart, the youngest Chief Minister of Punjab, a Union Cabinet Minister and a man who ruled the hearts of millions of Punjabis across the world.

I, on the other hand, was an ordinary general worker. Yet, true to his nature, he never let this create a gap between us. He was filled with warmth and kindness. These were traits that remained with him till his last breath. Everyone who interacted closely with Badal Saab would recall his wit and sense of humour.

The political climate in Punjab was very different in mid and later 1990s. The state had seen much turmoil and elections were due in 1997. Our parties (SAD and BJP) went to the people together and Badal Saab was our leader. His credibility was a key reason that the people blessed us with a resounding win. Not only that, our alliance successfully won the municipal elections in Chandigarh and also the Lok Sabha seat in the city. His persona was such that our alliance went on to serve the state for 15 years between 1997 and 2017!

There is an anecdote I can never forget. After taking oath as CM, Badal Saab told me that we would go to Amritsar together, where we would halt at night and the next day we would pray and have langar. I was in my room at a guest house but, when he got to know of this, he came there and began to pick up my luggage. I asked him why he was doing this, to which he told me that I would have to come with him to the room meant for the CM and stay there only. I kept telling him that there was no need to do this, but he insisted. Eventually, this is exactly what happened and Badal Saab stayed in another room. I will always cherish this gesture of his towards a very ordinary worker like me.

Badal Saab had a special interest in gaushalas and kept cows of various breeds. During one of our meetings, he told me that he wanted to raise Gir cows. I arranged five cows for him and after that, when we would meet, he would talk to me about the cows and also joke that those cows are Gujaratis in every way — they never get angry, agitated or attack anyone, not even when children are playing around. He would also remark that no wonder the Gujaratis are so gentle… after all they drink the milk of the cows of Gir.

After 2001, I met Badal Saab for talks in a different capacity - we were now Chief Ministers of our respective states.

PM Modi further added that, “I was blessed to receive guidance of Badal Saab on several issues- related to agriculture, water conservation, animal husbandry and dairying.  He was also someone who believed in tapping the potential of the diaspora, considering that there are so many hardworking Punjabis settled abroad.

Once he told me that he wanted to understand what Alang Shipyard was about. Then he came there and spent the entire day at Alang Shipyard and understood how recycling took place. Punjab is not a coastal state; so, in a way, there was no direct relevance of a shipyard for him but such was his desire to learn new things that he spent the day there and understood different aspects of the sector.

I will always remember his words of appreciation to the Government of Gujarat for their efforts to repair and restore the building of the holy Lakhpat Gurdwara Sahib in Kutch, which was damaged during the 2001 earthquake.                 

The political climate in Punjab was very different in the mid and late 1990s. In 1997 there was a lot of turmoil in the state and elections were to be held. Our parties got together and went to the people and Badal Sahib was our leader. His credibility was one of the main reasons why the people rewarded us with a resounding victory. Not only this, our alliance successfully won the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation elections and the Lok Sabha seat of the city. His personality was such that our alliance served the state for 15 years from 1997 to 2017!

There is one incident, which I can never forget. After taking oath as Chief Minister, Badal Sahib told me that we will go together to Amritsar, where we will stay the night and offer prayers and langar the next day. I was in my room in a guest house, but when they came to know about this, they came to my room and started taking my stuff. I asked them why they are doing this, then they told me that I have to come with them to the Chief Minister's room and stay there. I kept telling them that there was no need to do this, but they insisted. Finally it happened and Badal Sahib stayed in another room. I will always appreciate their attitude towards a very ordinary worker like me.

Badal Sahib had a special interest in cowsheds and kept various types of cows. During one of our meetings, he told me that he wanted to raise Gir cows. I arranged 5 cows for them and after that, whenever we met, they would talk to me about the cows and even joke that these cows are Gujarati in every way - sometimes when the kids are playing around they sometimes Also does not get angry, excited or attack anyone. He also used to comment that no wonder Gujaratis are so gentle ... after all they drink milk from Gir's cows.

After 2001, I met Badal Sahib for talks in a different capacity - we were now Chief Ministers of our respective states.

I had the privilege of receiving Badal Sahib's guidance on many issues, especially those related to agriculture, including water conservation, animal husbandry and dairying. He was also someone who believed in harnessing the potential of the Indian diaspora, realizing that there were many hardworking Punjabis living abroad.

Once they told me that they want to understand what Alang Shipyard is. Then they came there and spent the whole day at Alang Shipyard and understood how recycling is done. Punjab is not a coastal state, so in a way shipyard had no obvious relevance for him but it was his desire to learn new things that he spent the day there and understood different aspects of the sector.

I will always remember his words of appreciation to the Government of Gujarat for their efforts to repair and restore the building of the holy Lakhpat Gurdwara Sahib in Kutch, which was damaged during the 2001 earthquake.

After the NDA government came to power at the Centre in 2014, he once again provided valuable insights based on his rich governmental experience. He strongly supported several reforms, including the historic GST.

“I have highlighted only few aspects of our conversation.” Focusing on the larger area, Badal Saab contribution is incredible. From one of the bravest soldiers for the restoration of democracy to the dark days of Emergency, he himself suffered the highhandedness of the imperious Congress culture when his governments were dismissed. And, these experiences only made his belief in democracy stronger. 

During the turbulent period of the 1970s and 1980s in Punjab, Badal Saab put ‘Punjab First’ and ‘India First’. He strongly opposed any plan that would weaken India or compromise the interests of the people of Punjab, even if it meant the loss of power.

He was deeply committed to fulfilling the ideals of the great Guru Sahib. He also made notable efforts to preserve and celebrate the Sikh heritage. Who can forget his role in bringing justice to the 1984 riot victims?

Also Read: Parkash Singh Badal: 'Man of the masses' who brought lasting changes in Punjab

Badal Saab was a person who brought people together. He could work with leaders of every ideology. Badal saheb never attached any relation to political advantages and disadvantages. It was particularly useful in promoting a sense of national unity.

The void left by Badal Saab’s demise will be tough to fill. Here was a statesman whose life witnessed many challenges but he overcame them and rose like a phoenix. He will be missed but he will live on in our hearts and he will also live on through the outstanding work he has done over the decades.