Parkash Singh Badal Former Chief minister of Punjab took his last breath at Fortis Hospital in Mohali. He was admitted to the Hospital due to his illness. He took his last breath on Tuesday at the age of 95.  Centre declares two-day mourning on April 26 and 27.

Centre declares two-day national mourning as mark of respect to Parkash Singh Badal

Who was Parkash Singh Badal?

Parkash Singh Badal was an Indian politician who had served as the Chief Minister of the state of Punjab on five separate occasions. He was born on December 8, 1927, in Punjab’s village of Abul Khurana, Muktsar district.

Badal began his political career in the 1950s when he joined the Akali Dal party. He was first elected to the Punjab Legislative Assembly in 1957 and served as a minister in the state government for the first time in 1969. He had since held various ministerial portfolios in the state government, including agriculture, irrigation, and finance.

Badal had been Chief Minister of Punjab five times, with his first term in office starting in 1970. He subsequently held the position in 1977-1980, 1997-2002, 2007-2012, and 2012-2017. He was known for his contributions to the development of agriculture in Punjab and had been recognized for his work in this field.

In addition to his political career, Badal was also known for his interest in literature and had written several books in Punjabi. He had been honoured with several awards for his contributions to literature and politics, including the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award.

Family

Parkash Singh Badal was married to Surinder Kaur, and the couple had two children, a son named Sukhbir Singh Badal, and a daughter named Praneet Kaur.

Surinder Kaur, the wife of Parkash Singh Badal, passed away on November 13, 2011, after a prolonged illness. She was married to Parkash Singh Badal for more than 60 years, and her death was widely mourned by people across Punjab.

 Sukhbir Singh Badal is also a politician and has served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and MLA from Fazilka Constituency. He has also been the President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, a regional political party based in Punjab. Praneet Kaur is a doctor by profession and is married to Aadesh Pratap Singh Kairon, who is also a politician and has served as a cabinet minister in the Punjab Government.

Political Journey of Parkash Singh Badal

Parkash Singh Badal’s political career spans over six decades. He began his political journey in the 1950s when he joined the Shiromani Akali Dal party. He was first elected to the Punjab Legislative Assembly in 1957 and served as a minister in the state government for the first time in 1969. He has since held various ministerial portfolios in the state government, including agriculture, irrigation, and finance.

Badal became the Chief Minister of Punjab for the first time in 1970, a position he held until 1971. He subsequently held the position of Chief Minister four more times: 1977-1980, 1997-2002, 2007-2012, and 2012-2017. He is known for his contributions to the development of agriculture in Punjab and has been recognized for his work in this field.

Recognisable work done by Parkash Singh Badal

Parkash Singh Badal is known for his contributions to the development of agriculture in Punjab, which is often referred to as the “Green Revolution.” During his tenure as Chief Minister, he initiated several agricultural reforms and introduced new technologies and practices to increase crop yields and improve the living conditions of farmers. Under his leadership, Punjab became a leading agricultural state in India, with significant increases in food production, agricultural exports, and rural income.

Badal is also known for his efforts to promote the Punjabi language and culture. He has been a patron of Punjabi literature and has written several books in Punjabi. He has also been instrumental in establishing institutions such as Punjabi University, Patiala, and the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, which have played a significant role in promoting Punjabi language and culture.

Apart from his contributions to agriculture and culture, Badal has also played a significant role in Punjab’s development in other areas such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. During his various stints as Chief Minister, he initiated several projects and programs aimed at improving the quality of life of the people of Punjab.

Overall, Parkash Singh Badal’s contribution to the development of Punjab has been significant and has earned him recognition and respect from people across the state and the country.

Some Unknown Facts about Parkash Singh Badal

Here are some lesser-known facts about Parkash Singh Badal:

1. He was a participant in the Quit India Movement and was arrested by the British authorities in 1947 when he was only 20 years old.
2. Badal started his political career as a sarpanch (village head) and worked his way up the political ladder over several years.
3. He is known to be an avid reader and has a vast personal library at his home.
4. Badal is a firm believer in yoga and meditation and has often spoken about the benefits of these practices.
5. He is also known for his simplicity and frugal lifestyle. He is often seen wearing simple clothes and has a reputation for being a non-corrupt politician.
6. Badal has been married to his wife Surinder Kaur for more than 60 years, and the couple has two children, a son, and a daughter.
7. He is a vegetarian and abstains from alcohol and smoking.
8. Badal has been an advocate for Punjabi language and culture and has written several books in Punjabi.
9. He is a recipient of several awards and honours, including the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in India.
10. Badal is a deeply religious person and is known for his devotion to Sikhism.

Condolences Tweet

After hearing the death news of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) veteran and five-time chief minister of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal PM Narender Modi express his condoled by tweeting” 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.”

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

Mortal remains of Akali Dal patriarch #ParkashSinghBadal taken to SAD hq in Chandigarh's Sec 28. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and his cousin Manpreet Singh Badal get emotional in grief. pic.twitter.com/u4pTB03Etg

— Parteek Singh Mahal (@parteekmahal) April 26, 2023

The passing away of veteran leader, Shri Parkash Singh Badal Sahab is deeply saddening. His career spanning several decades was dedicated to the welfare of the poor. His demise is an irreparable loss to Indian politics. My heartfelt condolences are with his family and followers. pic.twitter.com/yF7HX2EpkG

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 25, 2023

Shri Prakash Singh Badal ji was a political stalwart who played a significant role in Punjab politics for many decades. In his long political and administrative career, he made several noteworthy contributions towards the welfare of farmers and other weaker sections of our…

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 25, 2023