Parkash Singh Badal: The grand old man of Punjab politics, who became India’s youngest CM
Patron of Shiromani Akali Dal and former CM Prakash Singh Badal was admitted to a private hospital in Mohali a week ago.
Former Chief Minister of Punjab Prakash Singh Badal was admitted to Mohali’s Fortis Hospital on April 16 Sunday, after he complained of uneasiness of breathing. As per PTI hospital officials told Former Chief Minister breathed his last around 08:00pm yesterday.
“Prakash Singh Badal, Former Chief Minister of Punjab, was admitted to hospital with acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma. He was shifted to Intensive Care Unit(ICU) on April 18 as his respiratory condition was worsened “. Told by Fortis Hopsital in medical bulletin.
“He had been on Noninvasive Ventilation(NIV) and High Flow-nasal cannula(HFNC) support along with medical management. He was being managed under Prof (Dr) Digambar Behera along with the Pulmonology and critical care team supported by Cardiology. Despite appropriate medical management Mr. Badal succumbed to his illness. Fortis Hospital Mohali deeply condoles the death of Parkash Singh Badal”, the medical bulletin added.
According to party leaders, Badal’s mortal remains will be placed for paying last respects at the SAD office in Chandigarh from 10:00am to noon on Wednesday.
Prakash Singh Badal was Born on 8 December, 1927 in Abul Khurana, near Malout. He belonged to a Jat Sikh family. Badal graduated from The Forman Christian College in Lahore
Badal was elected as village sarpanch at the age of 20 and later Chairman of Block Samiti, Lambi before rising into Punjab politic. He was elected to the Punjab State Assembly in 1957 on a Congress ticket. He has been elected an MLA nine times since then. He became the chief minister of Punjab for the first time in 1970 at the age of 43, taking over from Gurnam Singh. In 1970, he became the youngest Chief Minister of an Indian State at the time.
Mr. Badal, served as Punjab’s Chief Minister five times: 1970-71; 1977-80; 1997-2002 and from 2007 to 2017 (two consecutive terms). He led the party as its president from 1995 to 2008. The Government of India awarded him the second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2015.
Soon after his death, condolence messages started to flow.
President Droupadi Murmu, in a tweet, said, ” Shri Parkash Singh Badal was one of the tallest political stalwarts since independence. Though his exemplary career in public service was largely confined to Punjab, he was respected across the country. His demise leaves a void. My heartfelt condolences to his family and admirers..”
Extremely saddened by the passing away of Shri Parkash Singh Badal Ji. He was a colossal figure of Indian politics, and a remarkable statesman who contributed greatly to our nation. He worked tirelessly for the progress of Punjab and anchored the state through critical times. pic.twitter.com/scx2K7KMCq
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 25, 2023
Government announces two-day State mourning across India on April 26, 27
PTI adds: The Centre announced two days of State mourning on April 26 and 27 across India in view of the death of Badal.
In a communication to all the states, the Union Home Ministry said Badal died on April 25 and, as a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, the central government has decided that there will be state mourning for two days on April 26 and 27 throughout India.
“On the days of mourning, the national flag will be flown half mast on all buildings where the national flag is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment on these two days,” the communication said.
