The first 'Barsi Samagam' of Senior Akali leader and former president of Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee was organised at Gurudwara Tahliana Sahib, here today which was attended by Punjab CM Mr Parkash Singh Badal and a large number of personalities from different walks of life.While speaking on the occasion, CM Mr Parkash Singh Badal praised Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi for his enormous contribution towards Panth, Punjab and Punjabiat. Mr. Badal said that the life and struggle of Jathedar Talwandi would ever act as a lighthouse for the coming generations to serve the state and the Panth with utmost zeal, sincerity and commitment.
He said that probably Jathedar Talwandi was the only political leader who had served the state socially, politically and even religiously by being the President of Shiromani Akali Dal and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee besides being a Member of Parliament and MLA of the state assembly. Badal said that with the death of Jathedar Talwandi a void has been created which would be difficult to fill in the near future.Recalling the outstanding services rendered by Jathedar Talwandi during the landmark agitations like Punjabi Suba, Emergency, Dharam Yudh and others, the Chief Minister said that the Jathedar Talwandi was a fearless leader who never comprised with the interests of the state and Panth. Describing Jathedar Talwandi as a decisive leader, Mr. Badal said that he never hesitated to take any bold decision if it was in the interest of Punjab and its people. He said that even in the troublesome periods Jathedar Talwandi led the party from the front to safeguard the interests of the people.
While speaking to media persons, the Chief Minister said that in the memory of Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi, a Skill Development Centre would be set up in Bassian Kothi Memorial, which has come up in the memory of Maharaja Dalip Singh. Reacting to a question related to the suspension of two MP's of Aam Aadmi Party Mr Harinder Singh Khalsa and Mr Dharamvir Gandhi, Mr Badal said that it is an internal matter of the AAP and that he would not comment on it. Replying to another question, Mr Parkash Singh Badal said that a committee formed to find solution to the issues related to Sugar Mill Owners and producers, would submit its report in next few days and the matter would be resolved. He also appealed to the centre government to start crop insurance scheme in the benefit of farmers who suffer losses due to natural calamities every year.
Jathedar Talwandi's elder son and former MLA Jathedar Ranjit Singh Talwandi thanked all those who attended the first Barsi Samagam and assured everyone that the Talwandi family would continue to serve the Panth and State.Prominent among those present on the occasion included SGPC president Jathedar Avtar Singh, Sri Akal Takhat Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, Union Minister Mr Vijay Sampla, Punjab Vidhan Sabha speaker Dr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Rajya Sabha member Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Lok Sabha member Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, Cabinet Ministers Mr Tota Singh, Mr Ajit Singh Kohar and Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, former union minister Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board Mr Santa Singh Umedpuri, MLA's Mr Manpreet Singh Ayali, Mr S R Kler, Mr Darshan Singh Shivalik, Istri Akali Dal president Bibi Jagir Kaur, Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi's wife Bibi Mahinder Kaur, younger son Jathedar Jagjit Singh Talwandi, DIG AK Mittal, DC Rajat Agarwal, former Nagar Council Raikot president Amandeep Singh Gill, former Punjabi Sahit Akademi president Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill, besides several others.Later, the Chief Minister attended a function organised by the Aggarwal community at Aggar Nagar, Ludhiana. While addressing the gathering, the CM said that the Aggarwal community has contributed a lot for the development of Punjab as well as our country. He also urged the Aggarwal community to hold their next national level convention in Punjab.