NEW DELHI: Harmohan Singh Yadav worked all of his life to advance the beliefs and ideals of socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spoke at a ceremony commemorating the leader’s 10th death anniversary.
“Life is not over with death. People who work for the well-being of the masses live forever. Harmohan Singh Yadav fought all his life for the well-being of people,” PM Modi said.
Recounting the life story of Harmohan Singh, PM Modi said that he started his public life as the head of a village panchayat and was elected to the Rajya Sabha. He also served as an MLA and MLC.
Born in 1921 in Mehrban Singh ka Purva in Kanpur, Harmohan Singh Yadav passed away on July 25, 2012, at the age of 91. He was a close associate of Chaudhary Charan Singh and Ram Manohar Lohia.
When then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency in June 1975, Harmohan Singh fought to preserve the Constitution. During the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, he saved many Sikh families. For his bravery, he was awarded Shaurya Chakra in 1991.
PM Modi recalled the wise words of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee who said that the well-being of the country should always be at the core of one’s actions. “Almost all the non-Congress parties have worked with this motto. When Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency, parties came together to safeguard the Constitution,” he said.
The prime minister lamented that today self-interest has come to dominate the conduct of people and parties. “It has become fashionable these days to put self-interest and party interest above the interest of the country. Some parties turn opposition to an individual and political party into opposition to the country. This should not happen.” PM Modi said.
PM Modi said that he wanted to attend the event in person in Kanpur but could not come as there are pressing Constitutional responsibilities in Delhi. “I wanted to join the event in Kanpur but could not. Today is a historic day for our country as a tribal has been sworn in as the President. There are events in Delhi today which I have to attend to fulfil my Constitutional responsibility,” he said.
Elaborating on the ideals of socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia, PM Modi said, “Ram Manohar Lohia had warned that deterioration of socialism will give rise to inequality.”
He reiterated the commitment of his government to ensure that Lohia’s idea of social justice is carried forward. The prime minister said that his government is running multiple schemes and programmes to ensure that everyone in this country gets the basic facilities to live.
“My government is working hard to ensure that everyone gets a house, power connection. Eklavya schools are running in the country to ensure tribal, poor children get quality education,” PM Modi said.
He also recalled how Ram Manohar Lohia used to talk about the cultural strength of the country. “Ram Manohar Lohia started the Ramayan Mela. He also talked about the significance of protecting the river Ganga. Through Namami Gange Abhiyan, the country is fulfilling the wishes of Lohia,” PM Modi said.