PAU mourns loss of ex-PM Dr Manmohan Singh, Rewinds 1980s, 2006 & 2012 for his benevolence

Ludhiana, December 27, 2024: An unsurpassed economist known for his erudition and scholarship as well as blessed with the exceptional virtues of sharp political acumen and sheer honesty, simplicity, humility and dignity, a 92-year old Dr Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India, left an indelible imprint in the history of India as well as the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. Condolence messages poured in from various departments of PAU to pay rich tributes to the most honourable man and the purest soul Dr Manmohan Singh, who shared an impeccable relationship with this agri-varsity.

Paying glittering tributes to the highly revered economist, politician and the ex-Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal saluted the towering figure for being the most upright, generous and the benevolent human being at the helm of affairs. “A large-hearted and noble soul, Dr Manmohan Singh set an extraordinary example of being a blend of well-educated, well-informed, well-deserving and well-respected man, winning the title of ‘well-done’ in all aspects. Truly, India did marvels and won stellar accolades under his able stewardship of Prime Ministership (2004-14),” said Dr Gosal while recognizing Dr Mamonhan Singh’s monumental contributions to the country and the PAU.”

Recalling the pleasant gestures and pivotal contributions of Dr Manmohan Singh to PAU, Dr Gosal said, “The former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh visited the University to preside over the Annual Convocation in the early 1980s during the tenure of the then PAU VC Dr Sukhdev Singh; allocated a special grant of Rs 100 crore in 2006 during the stint of the then PAU VC Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh; and presided over the Golden Jubilee Convocation of PAU on December 8, 2012 during the tenure of the then PAU VC Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon.” “The special allocation of Rs 100 crore by the Government of India to PAU, in recognition of its exemplary contributions to the Green Revolution as well as the promotion of excellence in basic and strategic research, has enabled the University to come up with the biggest auditorium, named after the most accomplished politician ex-Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh; and also invest in the creation of the state-of-the-art infrastructure in the University,” he added. The construction of Dr Manmohan Singh Auditorium began during the tenure of former PAU VC Dr Manjit Singh Kang and was completed during the stint of ex-PAU VC Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, he told. Dr Manmohan Singh was also awarded D.Sc degree at the Golden Jubilee Convocation of PAU, he informed.

The former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, while heaping a praise on PAU at the Golden Jubilee convocation, said, “It was PAU’s pioneering work combined with the receptivity and hard work of farmers of Punjab and other states that made Green Revolution possible and gave the country food security…To replace paddy, suggest some alternative crops including maize, cotton, sugarcane, pulses, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables…PAU should be leader in this respect also. The state government, farmers, farm scientists and entrepreneurs of the state must pool their knowledge, wisdom and experience to make this happen.” Besides, ex-PM Dr Singh demanded special attention towards education and skill development to create productive work force.

The entire PAU fraternity comprising senior officials, teaching and non-teaching staff as well as students expressed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the peace to the departed soul.