PM releases stamp in memory of Punjab leader Beant Singh

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today released a postage stamp in the memory of Punjab leader Beant Singh, saying it is the duty of every citizen to fight against divisive forces posing threat to the country.

Recalling Beant Singh's "strong and determined" leadership to the state during its turbulent times, he said as the Chief Minister, he brought the state to normalcy after years of terrorist violence.

"Restoring peace in Punjab during those difficult days was no easy task and it is a tribute to the extraordinary leadership qualities of Sardar Beant Singh that he succeeded in doing so.

"If our society is largely peaceful and secular today, it is only because of the courage and patriotism of people like Sardar Beant Singh," the Prime Minister said.

Beant Singh was assassinated in a car bomb attack in secretariat complex in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995.

He said Beant Singh is best remembered for providing strong and determined leadership to Punjab in very troubled times.

"As Chief Minister of Punjab, he brought the state to normalcy after years of terrorist violence. Our freedoms are built on the foundation of their hard work and sacrifices. It is, therefore, our duty as citizens to contribute our bit in the fight against the divisive forces that still pose a threat to our country," he said.

He also recalled Beant Singh's long innings in public life, spanning over four decades when left a job in the army at the age of 23 to serve the people and went on to hold several important positions.

A public career which started with helping those whose life had been disrupted because of partition in 1947, culminated in the Chief Ministership of Punjab in 1992.

In the intervening years came a range of public positions - chairman block samiti, five-term member of the Punjab Assembly and minister in the Punjab government.

He was also the president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee during the very difficult years from 1986 to 1995.

"From 1992 to 1995, as Chief Minister of Punjab, Beant Singh showed an understanding and vision so rarely seen in public life. He worked tirelessly for reconstruction and reconciliation, and for restoration of peace and harmony...In this quest he laid down his own life," the PM said.