Five-day state mourning in Madhya Pradesh on Governor Shri Lalji Tandon’s demise

By India Education Diary Bureau Admin On Jul 21, 2020

Bhopal : State mourning has been declared in the state for five days from July 21 to 25 following the demise of Governor Shri Lalji Tandon. All government offices will remain closed on Tuesday. Giving this information in Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the Cabinet meeting today has been postponed without any discussion on any issues as a mark of respect to Late Shri Tandon. The Cabinet will meet on July 22. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan informed that the national flag will flow at half-mast in the state. No entertainment programmes will be organized in the state during the state mourning period. Instructions are being sent to all districts in this regard. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that he is going to Lucknow to pay homage to Late Shri Tandon on behalf of the people of Madhya Pradesh. The entire Cabinet observed two-minute silence to pay tributes to Late Governor Shri Tandon.

Late Shri Lalji Tandon spent his entire life in the service of the nation: CM Shri Chouhan

Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that the sad news of Governor Shri Lalji Tandon’s demise came this morning. He remained engaged in the service of the nation throughout his life. His contribution will always be remembered. Shri Tandon was a symbol of purity in public life. As Governor of Madhya Pradesh, he always gave guidance and inspiration in public interest. We have all seen the innovations he had suggested in the field of higher education. Not only did he get the gaushala operated in Raj Bhavan, but he himself used to say that I will ensure that this experiment is a success. He used to greet every visitor wholeheartedly. He always gave priority to mutual harmony and relations in politics. He viewed politics is a medium of service. Whichever party it is, everyone should serve the nation together. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that Shri Lalji Tandon, born on April 12, 1935, lived a public life of social service of seven decades with great spirit. He established deep rapport with all sections of the society. He personified the unwavering spirit of taking everyone along and working in social interest by remaining an Ajatshatru (one who has no enemy). A unending series of public welfare works are included in his account due to his continuous activities. He was among those few mass leaders who practiced national service and moral values through politics and realized the Indian concept of Antyodaya.

Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that when Shri Tandon reached the Legislative Council in the year 1978 with such a lofty, wide and austere background of public life, he left his mark there too and gave new heights to parliamentary dignities. Apart from being a two-time member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, he also played the role of Leader of the House. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly thrice. As Leader of Opposition there, he told people how the voices of protest should be and how the government can be compelled to listen to public voice even while being polite.

Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that as a senior minister of Uttar Pradesh, every step of Tandonji became a new story of progress and new records were being created. He managed the responsibilities of significant portfolios like Energy, Housing, Town Development, Water Resources while taking over as minister five times. With his administrative skills, vision and determination, Shri Tandon helped to deliver direct benefits to crores of people of Uttar Pradesh. He changed the condition and direction of these departments.

Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that the improvements and changes incorporated by Shri Tandon as a minister are unforgettable. The schemes designed for the downtrodden and the underprivileged to lead the Indian concept of Antyodaya under the leadership of Tandon ji at that time were nationally acclaimed. It was he who realized the dream of getting house ownership rights to the downtrodden section working for Rs 5, Rs 10 and Rs 15. Not only this, the plan of giving a fruit-bearing tree and a milching animal along with a house was the result of Tandon’s multi-faceted thinking. He did extensive ground work for poverty alleviation. Community centres, night shelters were set up, slums were given a face lift. The salt water problem of Mathura-Vrindavan was solved.

Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that Shri Tandon undertook historical work due to his tendency to work for public welfare. For the first time, the prohibition of cow slaughter was enacted in Uttar Pradesh. The construction of the 5 km-long ghat in Haridwar with public cooperation was the result of his unique thinking. He developed such basic facilities for Kumbh in Haridwar that now there is not much new work to be done for the Kumbh event. The urgency and determination with which Tandon ji did the task of handing over 42 acres of land to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas as in-charge of Ayodhya affairs has no second example.

Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that the process of making the impossible possible in the life of Tandon Ji never stopped. In the year 2003, the simultaneous dedication/laying down of 1001 schemes by him was registered in the Limca Book of Records.

Apart from this, the biggest characteristic of Shri Lalji Tandon was that even after becoming a politician, he maintained his role as a social worker. That is why he was always seen as a symbol of communal unity and a great son of humanity. Shri Tandon revived the ancient tradition of graceful Holi procession in Lucknow. He established the tradition of public Kavi Sammelan and always took part in it. He took over the reins of Jai Prakash Narayan’s Samagra Kranti Andolan in Lucknow. He went to jail in emergency, suffered heavy torture. He established an identity as an orator. Hence he became popular. This was Shri Tandon’s biggest property . On the basis of this, Shri Tandon became MP from Lucknow in the year 2009 and extended the legacy of Atal ji. Tandon had very close family ties with great thinkers like Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay and Lohia ji and great leaders like Bharat Ratna Nana Ji Deshmukh, Atal Behari Vajpayee and Jay Prakash Narayan. Close proximity with such people enriched Shri Tandon’s experiences. He took charge in Madhya Pradesh on July 29, 2019. One year of his tenure was nearing completion. We would have benefited from his guidance even more, but God had decided otherwise. As the Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Karmayogi Shri Tandon had put all his skills and strength to uplift the field of higher education. His tenure in Madhya Pradesh will also be remembered forever.