Vice President Sh. Jagdeep Dhankhar and Other Eminent Leaders Pay Tribute to Former Haryana CM, Sh. Om Prakash Chautala
Farmer Welfare and Rural Development Were Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala's Core Priorities" – Vice President Sh. Jagdeep Dhankhar
Chandigarh, December 21 – Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, along with his wife Dr. Sudesh Dhankhar, visited Teja Kheda Farm in Chautala, Sirsa district, on Saturday to attend the last rites of former Haryana Chief Minister, Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala. The couple paid their respects to the late leader’s mortal remains.
During the ceremony, Vice President Shri Dhankhar fondly reflected on his personal relationship with Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala. “I had spoken to Chaudhary Sahab only five days ago. He expressed concern about my health, which deeply touched me,” he said. He continued, “It was 29 years ago, with the blessings of Tau Devi Lal, that Chaudhary sahab took me under his wing, helped me get elected to the 9th Lok Sabha, and appointed me as a Minister. I will never forget his support. I always sought his blessings, especially when I became Governor.”
Recalling a personal memory, Shri Dhankhar shared how Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala, despite his prominent political career, always remained dedicated to the welfare of farmers and rural development. “Chaudhary Sahab’s legacy is not defined by his political titles, but by his unwavering commitment to farmers and villages. He believed that the country’s progress and peace are inherently tied to rural development and agriculture,” Shri Dhankhar said.
The Vice President further reflected on Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala’s kindness, remembering how, during a visit after his appointment as Governor, the late leader insisted on providing special laddus to soothe his sore throat. “His concern for others was extraordinary,” Shri Dhankhar recalled.
Praising the late leader’s unwavering dedication to rural welfare, Dhankhar highlighted his fearless, strong character and steadfast commitment to his ideals. “Chaudhary Sahab was a man of strong convictions, always focused on rural development. The challenges he faced and the philosophical approach he adopted remain highly relevant even today,” said Vice President Shri Dhankhar.
Concluding his tribute, Shri Dhankhar said, “Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala taught us that the road to progress is not without obstacles, and often, our achievements may not be fully recognized. But the goal is clear—uplifting farmers and rural communities. The dream of a developed India will emerge from the fields of farmers and rural development. His tireless service to farmers, especially his fight for loan waivers, is a testament to his unwavering dedication. He showed us that the interests of farmers are the interests of the nation, and their progress is key to the country’s prosperity.”
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Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini pays tribute to former Chief Minister Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala
State funeral held at Teja Khera Farm, Sirsa
Chandigarh, December 21- Former Haryana Chief Minister, Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala was cremated with state honours on Saturday at Teja Khera Farm in Sirsa district. Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini also visited Teja Khera Farm to pay his last respects and tribute to the departed soul.
During the last rites, several prominent leaders and dignitaries, including Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Harvinder Kalyan, Cabinet Ministers, Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar, Sh. Mahipal Dhanda, Dr. Arvind Sharma, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa, BJP State President Sh. Mohan Lal Badoli, MP, Sh. Kartik Sharma, among others, paid their last respects to the departed soul.
State funeral of Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala held at Teja Khera Farm, district Sirsa. His mortal remains were wrapped in the tricolor. Before the last rites, the Haryana Police contingent presented a guard of honor. Family members, including Sh. Ranjit Singh Chautala, Sh. Abhay Chautala, Sh. Ajay Chautala, Sh. Dushyant Chautala, Sh. Digvijay Chautala, Sh. Karan Chautala and Sh. Arjun Chautala paid their last respects to the departed soul.
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Union Minister Manohar Lal pays respectes to former Chief Minister Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala in Sirsa
Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala's political life was dedicated to serving the People – Manohar Lal
Chandigarh, December 21 – Union Minister for Power, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Sh. Manohar Lal attended the last rites of former Haryana Chief Minister, Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala at Teja Khera Farm in Sirsa district on Saturday,
and paid respects on behalf of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi. He offered a floral wreath before paying last respects to the departed soul.
While paying his respects, Sh. Manohar Lal said that Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala's political career was devoted to serving the people. He particularly raised his voice for the welfare of the farmers. His demise is an irreparable loss to the politics of both the nation and the state.
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Veer Bal Diwas to Be Celebrated on a Grand Scale in Haryana on December 26
Chief Minister Mr. Nayab Singh Saini to Lead State-Level Tribute Program in Kurukshetra
Chandigarh, December 21 – Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Nayab Singh Saini said that the state will observe Veer Bal Diwas on a grand scale on December 26, in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to commemorate the sacrifice of the Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The state government has finalized an extensive plan to mark the occasion.
Divulging further details, Dr. Prabhleen Singh, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister, said that the main event will be a state-level programme at Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi in Kurukshetra on December 26, coinciding with Children’s Day. The Chief Minister will attend the event and pay tribute to the Sahibzadas.
Additionally, seminars focused on the Sahibzadas’ sacrifice will be organized in all government universities across the state. Schools, both government and private, will hold essay writing, speech, and painting competitions, aimed at educating the youth and future generations about the historical significance of their sacrifice, added Dr. Prabhleen Singh.
In a unique and first-of-its-kind initiative, flex banners will be displayed at petrol stations along Haryana’s National Highways, featuring an image of Chief Minister paying tribute to the Sahibzadas. Moreover, the Chief Minister’s message, emphasizing the importance of the Sahibzadas’ sacrifice, will be broadcast across government buildings, malls, and public spaces.
This large-scale observance of Veer Bal Diwas is the first of its kind in the country. Haryana’s initiative has been widely appreciated by the global Sikh community, which has thanked Chief Minister Mr. Nayab Singh Saini and called for the nationwide celebration of Veer Bal Diwas, inspired by Haryana’s model.
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Development of Five Waterbodies in Each Water-Stressed Block of Haryana
State Targets Water Conservation During Monsoon
Chandigarh, December 21– Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Minister, Smt. Shruti Choudhry, has announced an ambitious initiative to develop at least five waterbodies in each water-stressed block across the state. This effort aims to conserve surplus monsoon water effectively and address the growing water scarcity challenges. Collaborative Efforts for Land Identification
During a review meeting focused on key departmental issues and the Sankalap Patra, Smt. Choudhry proposed convening a high-level meeting with Administrative Secretaries and officers from the Development and Panchayats Department. The primary objective is to coordinate the identification of at least one hectare of Panchayat land in each block for the creation of these waterbodies. Technical Planning for Monsoon Water Utilization
The Minister emphasized the need for a technically viable scheme to harness and conserve surplus water from major rivers like the Markanda, Tangri, Ghaggar, and Yamuna during the monsoon season. She highlighted the importance of utilizing this water for sustainable development and agricultural needs. Rehabilitation of Channels and Two-Year Action Plan
Smt. Choudhry directed field officers to inspect all channels in the state and prioritize those requiring rehabilitation. She instructed the preparation of a two-year phased action plan to ensure effective service delivery to the tail-end beneficiaries of the department's irrigation network. Exploring External Funding Sources
To support these initiatives, the Minister urged exploring external funding options, including assistance from NABARD, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), alongside the state's regular budget. The meeting was attended by Sh. Anurag Aggarwal, Additional Chief Secretary of Irrigation and Water Resources, along with other senior officials of the department.