Chandigarh, September 19- The Vice President of India, Sh. M. Venkaiah Naidu, along with Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal on Sunday released five volumes of Sir Chhotu Ram: Writings and Speeches based on the life, work and principles of Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram. An attempt has been made to compile the political work and personality of Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram in five volumes published by Haryana Academy of History and Culture. Former Haryana Chief Minister, Sh O P Chautala, former Uttrakhand CM Vijay Bahuguna, grandson of Sir Chhotu Ram and former Union Minister Sh. Birender Singh and Director, Haryana Academy of History and Culture and Historian, Professor Raghuvendra Tawar graced the occasion during the programme.
Sh. M. Venkaiah Naidu, on the occasion of the launch, saluted the dedication and sacrifice of Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram. While releasing this collection dedicated to the life story of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram, he said that, "I feel very happy and satisfied because today I am becoming a medium to help acquaint the public with his personality." He further said that there were many such heroes of the freedom movement who worked in their area or in the community, but the importance of their work was not limited to the region or community but made an impact nationwide. He said that great men like Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram have risen from every region, every section of society and have organised the people against exploitation and injustice. He appreciated the Haryana Academy of History and Culture for publishing this compilation and said that this compilation will be a powerful medium to acquaint the public with the great personalities of the country. The thoughts of an enlightened statesman like Sir Chhotu Ram on the political and economic conditions of that time have been compiled in these five volumes so that the coming generations are familiarised with the struggle of different regions and classes in the freedom movement.
The Vice President said that Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram and his Unionist Party's contribution in the politics of Undivided Punjab to oppose the partition of the country before independence can never be forgotten. He said that even Sardar Patel had praised the working style of Sir Chhotu Ram. After the constitutional reforms, Sir Chhotu Ram continued to raise issues related to farmers and labourers. As the Development Minister in the Unionist Party government in Punjab, Sir Chhotu Ram made laws to free the farmers from the exploitation of moneylenders and arhtiyas. The foundation of future agricultural reforms was laid on the basis of the laws he implemented in the interest of agricultural workers. He liberated the farmers from the vicious circle of interest and debt, and got their land back. At the same time, the contribution of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram in saving the mortgaged houses of farmers and also their cattle from the possession of moneylenders has been incomparable. He was also actively involved in setting up mandis at the local level so that farmers could get the right price for their produce.
Sh. Naidu said that Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram also took meaningful steps in setting up research institutes to develop modern scientific methods in agriculture and animal husbandry. He said that the idea of Bhakra Dam on river Sutlej was first conceived by Sir Chhotu Ram and for its construction; an agreement was made with the British Government and the ruler of Bilaspur. In such a situation, only a person who has personally experienced the problems of farmers and agriculture can do this work. He said that Sir Chhotu Ram himself belonged to a farmer's family. Sir Chhotu Ram was a prolific writer, farmer messiah, educationist and an ideal statesman.
He said that the government is taking effective steps in the interest of farmers because agriculture in India is not just a business; it is the basis of Indian culture. Sh. Naidu said that his own life has also been related to agriculture and even today he visits different parts of the country to know the condition of the farmers. He said that there should be continuous dialogue between the government and the farmers. Farmers’ interest should never be mixed with politics and to improve the condition of the farmer, the country will have to be transformed into a 'One Food Zone'. There should be an open market system to stop the exploitation of the farmers, which means,the farmers of the country can go anywhere and sell their crop. This is in the interest of the country and also in the interest of the farmers.
Chhotu Ram is called 'Deenbandhu' only because he is a true sympathizer of the poor: Chief Minister
Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said - Unprecedented decisions are being taken in Haryana in the interest of farmers
Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal welcomed Vice President, Sh. M. Venkaiah Naidu on his arrival at the release ceremony of the five volumes of Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram - Writings and Speeches. He said that books are the best medium to acquaint future generations with the life philosophy of great men. A very comprehensive description of philosophy of life, political, economic, social and administrative thinking has been displayed in the five volumes which have been released on the life of Sir Chhotu Ram. He said that Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram was rich in versatility and self-respect and fearlessness, simplicity and honesty were his characteristics. He fought for the upliftment and respect of the poor and weaker sections of the people throughout his life. Being a true sympathizer of the poor, he gained the salutation of 'Deenbandhu'. He said that Chaudhary Chhotu Ram made laws by passing many bills for the benefit of farmers. He freed the farmers from debts and helped in the return of mortgaged lands back to the farmers. His name will be inscribed in golden letters on the pages of the history of India for his contribution in the making of laws related to agriculture.
The Chief Minister said that in the direction of realizing Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram's dream of upliftment of farmers and poor, the Prime Minister has resolved to make agriculture profitable and make farmers prosperous and happy. He said that the State Government has also implemented schemes to provide all possible help to the farmers right from when the crop is sown to when the harvest is sold. To make the agriculture sector profitable, the state government is working on such a vision that the coming generations do not deviate from agriculture.
Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram's grandson and former Union Minister, Sh. Birender Singh expressed gratitude to the guests who attended the function. Along with this, MP, Hisar and great grandson of Ch Chhotu Ram Sh. Brijender Singh and Ch Birender Singh also expressed their views.
Five Volumes of Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram: Writings and Speeches has been published in both English and Hindi languages
Five volumes of Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram: Writings and Speeches published in both English and Hindi languages were released. Out of these five volumes were published by Haryana History and Culture Academy, three volumes are in English and two volumes are in Hindi. This compilation will be a powerful medium to give useful information about every aspect of Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram to the youth in future. Along with this, it will also prove to be an important study material for those doing research on the principles and ideology of Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram. At the same time, it will be important for the social, economic history of North India before and after independence. A documentary depicting the life of Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram was screened at the release ceremony. Director, Haryana Art and Cultural Department, Sh. D. Suresh, welcomed the guests.
Rising above party politics Deenbandhu honoured by all
The release programme of five volumes of Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram-Writings and Speeches on Sunday was seen as a commendable step in Haryana. The participation of representatives of various political parties in the ceremony was a testimony to the progress towards social upliftment. There were a large number of people in the programme who may be opposed to each other in political ideology, but everyone participated in the programme with dignity on a platform to pay respect to Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram.
BJP State President, Sh. OP Dhankar , Haryana Agriculture Minister, Sh. JP Dalal, MPs Sh. Brijendra Singh, Sh. Dharambir Singh, Haryana Enterprises Bureau Chairman, Sh. Subhash Barala, Media Advisor to Chief Minister, Sh. Amit Arya, Rajya Sabha MP, Sh. Deepender Hooda, former Minister, Sh. Rao Narbir Singh, President, Waqf Board Haryana, Sh. Zakir Hussain, former MP, Sh. Naveen Jindal, Sh. Prem Singh Chandu Majra, former MLA, Sh. Karan Dalal, former m Minister, Sh. Sukhbir Kataria, former Punjab Haryana High Court judge, Sh. Pritampal, Commissioner, Gurugram Division, Sh. Rajiv Ranjan and other dignitaries were present during the event.