Monthly Archives: August 2018

Even as the Congress and BJP indulge in a blame game over setting up of a memorial for former PM Manmohan Singh, the spotlight has shifted to memorials for former prime ministers, which dot the national capital’s landscape. Although all…

Animesh Singh Tribune News Service

Even as the Congress and BJP indulge in a blame game over setting up of a memorial for former PM Manmohan Singh, the spotlight has shifted to memorials for former prime ministers, which dot the national capital’s landscape.

Although all former prime ministers, including acting PM Gulzari Lal Nanda, have memorials commemorating their memories, the only exception is Vishwanath Pratap Singh, who does not have any memorial in his name.

Last year, when Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin unveiled Singh’s statue at Presidency College in Chennai, his son Ajeya Pratap Singh lamented that there was no portrait of his father in Parliament, and not even a memorial anywhere in the country, to commemorate his memory. Singh was the country’s prime minister between December 1989 and November 1990.

Apart from PV Narasimha Rao, Morarji Desai and Nanda (whose memorials are situated in various parts of the country), all other prime ministers have their memorials situated in the Raj Ghat complex, on the banks of the Yamuna in the national capital.

Incidentally, all former prime ministers, whose memorials are situated in the Raj Ghat complex, were also cremated in the same area. However, Manmohan Singh’s cremation took place at Nigambodh Ghat, where no former PM has been cremated so far.

Amid the controversy, the Centre has assured his family and the Congress that a memorial will come up for Singh once a trust is formed and land is allotted.

First PM Jawaharlal Nehru’s samadhi, Shanti Van, is situated right adjacent to Mahatma Gandhi’s samadhi at Raj Ghat. Lal Bahadur Shastri, who became the PM after Nehru, also has a samadhi on the same stretch of land near the Yamuna, named Vijay Ghat.

Indira Gandhi, who succeeded Shastri after his untimely demise in 1966, has her samadhi, Shakti Sthal, next to her father’s. Her son Rajiv Gandhi’s samadhi, Vir Bhumi, is situated next to his mother’s. Rajiv Gandhi was the PM from 1984 till 1989.

Desai and Chaudhary Charan Singh, who became prime ministers in quick succession after the Janata Party government had come to power post the Emergency in 1977, also have their memorials. While Charan Singh’s memorial Kisan Ghat is situated in the Raj Ghat complex, the one erected in Desai’s memory — Abhay Ghat — is siuated on the banks of the Sabarmati in Ahmedabad.

Rao, who was the PM from 1991 till 1996 and under whose leadership Manmohan Singh became the finance minister, has a memorial — Gyan Bhumi — in Hyderabad.

Though Rao had died in New Delhi in 2004, his memorial came up in 2015 in Hyderabad. Soon after coming to power, the Narendra Modi-led NDA government had proposed to build the memorial in Rao’s name. It was fast-tracked by then union urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu.

Chandra Shekhar, who served as the PM from November 1990 and June 1991, also has a memorial — Jana Nayak Sthal — in the Raj Ghat complex.

Inder Kumar Gujral, who held office between April 1997 and March 1998, has a memorial — Smriti Sthal — in the Raj Ghat complex.

Nanda, who became the acting PM after Nehru’s death on May 27, 1964, for 10 days and then again after Shastri’s untimely death on January 11, 1966, till January 24, 1966, has a memorial, Sadachar Sthal, in Kurukshetra. Atal Behari Vajpayee, who became the PM twice — first in 1996 and then in 1998 — was cremated at the Raj Ghat complex.

The former prime minister died on Thursday night at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences

India grieves for the man who famously spoke of studying under the dim light of kerosene lamps in his village without electricity and went on to become a storied academic and was a reluctant politician, almost stumbling into the rough and tumble of mainstream politics.

Loved by all, the soft-spoken former prime minister Manmohan Singh died on Thursday night at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). He was 92.

The Congress leader steered the country for 10 years from 2004-2014 and helped set up the country’s economic framework as finance minister before that. He would always have a renowned name  globally in the field of economic.

Watch his last journey as the nation bids farewell to the man loved by all

India mourns the loss of Dr Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26, 2024. A leader of unparalleled intellect and humility, Dr Singh’s legacy as an economist, reformer and Prime Minister has profoundly shaped the nation. As Finance Minister…

Bhupinder Singh Hooda

India mourns the loss of Dr Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26, 2024. A leader of unparalleled intellect and humility, Dr Singh’s legacy as an economist, reformer and Prime Minister has profoundly shaped the nation.

As Finance Minister in 1991, Dr Singh faced a crippling economic crisis with courage and initiated liberalisation reforms that transformed India’s economy. Despite initial controversy, his vision laid the foundation for the country’s economic resurgence.

Dr Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 saw landmark initiatives such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Right to Information Act and the National Food Security Act. These policies empowered millions, especially the marginalised, reflecting his deep empathy for the underprivileged and his commitment to social equity.

In Haryana, where his Kohli family’s roots lie in Yamunanagar, Dr Singh’s contributions were extraordinary. During his premiership, Haryana witnessed significant development with the establishment of institutions such as IIM Rohtak and AIIMS Jhajjar. His support for Industrial Model Townships and Metro rail expansion boosted employment, connectivity and industrial growth, making Haryana a leader in employment generation and per capita income.

“The welfare of our farmers must remain at the heart of our policies. A prosperous farmer means a prosperous India,” Dr Singh had said when I, as an MP, led a delegation of farmers to discuss a fertilizer price rollback. His words reflected his unwavering commitment to the agrarian community, resonating deeply with Haryana’s ethos.

Despite holding the highest office, Dr Singh’s humility and simplicity remained his hallmark. His integrity, even amid political challenges, was unshakeable. He faced criticism during his tenure with characteristic grace, prioritising the nation over political considerations.

His leadership was characterised by dialogue and consensus-building. Even after stepping down as Prime Minister, Dr Singh’s dedication to Haryana and India never wavered and he remained a guiding light for progress.

As we bid farewell to this extraordinary statesman, let us honour his vision of a modern, equitable and just India. May his life inspire generations to come and may his soul rest in peace.

India’s business and economic community is paying tribute to Dr Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister and Finance Minister, whose transformative reforms reshaped the nation. Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday, is widely credited as…

India’s business and economic community is paying tribute to Dr Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister and Finance Minister, whose transformative reforms reshaped the nation. Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday, is widely credited as the architect of India’s economic liberalisation. His death has prompted an outpouring of grief from economists, and business leaders.

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra emphasised the lasting impact of Singh’s reforms, stating, “His contributions as the architect of India’s economic reforms have left an indelible mark. @RBI joins the nation in mourning this huge loss.”

Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), hailed Singh as an “erudite, experienced leader and analytical thinker.”

Business leaders have also expressed their deep respect for Singh’s contributions. Bharti Enterprises Chairman Sunil Mittal said, “Some of us who are carrying forward his legacy would not have been here without his path-breaking policy shift in 1991-92.” JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal also paid tribute to Singh’s legacy, calling him “a statesman of humility.” Dr Manmohan Singh’s legacy is marked by his instrumental role in transforming India’s economy and integrating it with the global market. His death has left an irreplaceable void, but his contributions continue to shape India’s growth and economic landscape.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had a deep connection with Hoshiarpur. The city played an important role in his education. He started his career as teacher in the city and then went on to become one of the world’s renowned…

Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi

Dr Manmohan Singh (2nd from right in the last row) with his teachers and 1954 MA (Economics) batchmates at the Panjab University College (now known as Government College) in Hoshiarpur.

The Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday said it extended help to commuters in heavy snowfall in the Valley on Friday. Srinagar-based Chinar Corps responded to a distress call from civil administration to evacuate tourists stranded due to..

The Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday said it extended help to commuters in heavy snowfall in the Valley on Friday.

Srinagar-based Chinar Corps responded to a distress call from civil administration to evacuate tourists stranded due to unprecedented heavy snowfall in Gulmarg and the subsequent closure of the road to Tangmarg.

The Army assisted in evacuation of 68 civilians along with provisioning of hot meals, shelter and medication for a total of 137 tourists.

In another case, the Army said it responded to an emergency distress call to evacuate a pregnant woman from Munad village in Kulgam.

“Amidst heavy snowfall, the rescue team reached the location on time. Immediate lifesaving medical assistance was extended and the patient was evacuated to Government Hospital, Yaripora,” the Army said.

Baramulla Police also launched extensive emergency assistance operations across the district following heavy snowfall.

“Police teams were strategically deployed along the Gulmarg-Tangmarg road axis and other critical areas to aid stranded travellers,” police spokesperson said.

It said the operations included rescuing stranded vehicles, providing mechanical assistance, and helping install snow chains.

“Emergency help desks were established at key locations, offering shelter and transportation assistance to tourists,” the spokesperson commented.

Also, police and government officials of Anantnag and Kulgam districts in South Kashmir rendered helping hands to the stranded tourist and other vehicles amid heavy snowfall.

Maximum limit of death-cum-retirement gratuity for government employees and judicial officers increased to Rs 25 lakh

Tribune News Service

The Haryana Cabinet today approved the revision of the ex-gratia amount to be given to the families of battle casualties of armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel. The ex-gratia amount has been increased from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore.

This decision follows the announcement made by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in his Budget speech for 2024-25. The ex-gratia grant is given in case of a battle casualty, which includes incidents declared as ‘battle casualty’ by the defence authorities or the Ministry of Home Affairs, wherein a member of armed forces or CAPF is killed in harness in the performance of bonafide official duties in war, IED blast, terrorist or militant attacks, border skirmishes and in the United National Peacekeeping Force. The battle casualty also includes death in accident, cardiac arrest, air crash accident and natural calamities that demand exceptional courage and decisions towards performance of duties.

The Cabinet also approved a proposal by the Development and Panchayats Department to allocate a 200-square-yard plot from Shamlat deh land to Kamlesh Sharma, wife of martyr Sub-Inspector Jai Bhagwan. The late Sub-Inspector, a resident of Hirapur village in Ballabgarh of Faridabad, sacrificed his life during a counter-insurgency operation on December 12, 1995.

The Cabinet has also approved an enhancement in the monthly pension of ‘Matribhasha Satyagrahis’ of the Hindi Aandolan-1957 from the existing Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000, with immediate effect. Amendments to the Haryana Superior Judicial Service Rules, 2007, and the Punjab Civil Service (Judicial Branch) Rules, 1951, were also cleared. The amendments pertain to the provision of compassionate financial assistance or appointment to the dependents of deceased members of the Haryana Superior Judicial Service and Haryana Civil Service (Judicial Branch).

The government has also decided to increase the maximum limit of death-cum-retirement gratuity for state government employees and judicial officers by 25 per cent, raising it from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. This enhancement will take effect from January 1, 2024

Ex-PM cremated with full state honours | Eldest daughter lights pyre as nation pays last respects

Tribune News Service

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who helped redefine India’s place in the world, was cremated with full state honours here today in the presence of top dignitaries from the country and abroad.

Singh’s eldest daughter Upinder Singh lit his funeral pyre at the Nigambodh Ghat crematorium in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, central ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, and Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were among those present.

Draped in the Tricolour, Singh’s body was carried through the national capital on a flower-decked carriage pulled by a ceremonial Army truck. Priests and family members recited religious hymns from the Gurbani while chants of “Satnam Waheguru” filled the air as Singh was cremated according to Sikh rituals.

Before Singh’s mortal remains were consigned to flames, the security forces gave a salute of three volleys of small arms and the buglers sounded the “Last Post” as a mark of honour for the former two-term PM, who ruled the country from 2004 to 2014. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and the chiefs of the tri-services also laid wreaths on the former PM’s mortal remains. Several Chief Ministers, including Siddaramaiah (Karnataka), Revanth Reddy (Telangana), Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (Himachal Pradesh) and Atishi (Delhi), besides Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, also attended the last rites.

Earlier in the day, Singh’s body was taken to the AICC headquarters where hundreds of his admirers and party supporters paid their last respects. Senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, paid tributes by draping Singh’s body in the party flag. Singh’s wife Gursharan Kaur and one of their daughters also laid a wreath on his body at the AICC headquarters. Singh’s three daughters—Upinder Singh, Daman Singh and Amrit Singh—along with other relatives were present.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also accompanied the procession, sitting alongside Singh’s relatives in an Army truck just ahead of the casket carrying the former PM’s mortal remains. Later, Rahul was also among those who carried Singh’s body to the pyre.

The vehicle carrying the mortal remains had left Singh’s residence a little before 9 am. The procession moved forward amid chants of “Manmohan Singh amar rahe”. A number of Congress workers and leaders, along with hundreds of Singh’s well-wishers, walked along chanting “jab tak suraj-chand rahega, tab tak tera naam rahega”. Demands for honouring Singh with Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of the country, were also raised during the procession.

Singh had died of age-related complications on the night of December 26. He was 92. He had been in poor health for the last few months.

A meeting at Mauza Gaah near Islamabad Pakistan, the ancestral village of Dr Manmohan Singh Kohli, to condole the passing away of ex-PM of India!
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ਭਾਰਤ ਦੇ ਸਾਬਕਾ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਡਾਕਟਰ ਮਨਮੋਹਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਕੋਹਲੀ ਦੇ ਗੁਜ਼ਰ ਜਾਣ ਤੇ ਇਸਲਾਮਾਬਾਦ ਦੇ ਲਾਗੇ ਓਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਜਨਮ ਸਥਾਨ ਮੌਜ਼ਾ ਗਾਹ ਦੇ ਵਿਚ ਸੋਗਵਾਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਇਕ ਇਕੱਠ!

The land was purchased by Diwan Todar Mal after the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas. The Mughal authorities killed the Sahibzadas for not renouncing their faith after attempts to brick them alive failed. A royal order prohibited the performance of last rites on the Mughal land, but Diwan Todar Mal asked for the land and the mortal remains of the Sahibzadas.
Toder Mal spread all the coins vertically, totaling 78000 gold coins which covered a total of 4 square meters of land. The value of these coins in modern value is over 30 million USD (as a common global denomination).