Canadian MPs of Indian descent condole the death of Dr Manmohan Singh

Herb Dhaliwal (left) with Dr. Manmohan Singh
By Prabhjot Singh

Herb Dhaliwal, the first MP of Indian descent to become a federal minister in Canada, was joined by some of his contemporaries in eulogizing India’s one of tallest Prime Ministers, Dr Manmohan Singh, who left for his heavenly abode early this week. Herb Dhaliwal, who lives in Vancouver, says that among various things he shared with Dr Singh was “our retirement from politics”.

“I am personally feeling very saddened by the loss of my good friend, Dr Manmohan Singh. Beginning in the late 1990s I had the distinct privilege of becoming acquainted with this wonderful gentleman. I met him several times during his terms of office, first as Finance Minister and then as Prime Minister, as well as since he and I both left politics.

“India has lost an icon, a distinguished past Prime Minister highly respected by his world leader peers. He was a humble, long-standing career official who rose to make an indelible mark as an inspirational economic visionary. His dynamic policies on deregulation changed many sectors, opening India to foreign investment and the prosperity resulting.

“Manmohan Singh was the first Sikh in history to occupy the Lok Kalyan Marg (Prime Minister’s official residence). He also was a man whose legacy includes, although with his characteristic soft voice, being outspoken on behalf of India’s less fortunate.

“May he rest in peace, remembered for having been a kind human being, one who brought India forward to becoming a modern economic marvel among the community of nations,” Dhaliwal said in his message.

Gurbaksh Malhi, who was also elected to the House of Commons along with Herb Dhaliwal in 1993, condoled the death of Dr Manmohan Singh. He was the second Indian Prime Minister after Mrs Indira Gandhi to visit Canada.

When Dr Manmohan Singh came to attend the 2010 G 20 Summit in Toronto, said Mr Gurbaksh Malhi, recalling his meeting with him. At that time, all Canadian MPs of Indian descent called on him and submitted a memorandum to him highlighting the problems members of Indian Diaspora faced back home.

“He was a thorough gentleman, soft-spoken, with an open mind. He evinced keen interest in the issues we raised with him. He promised to look into all those demands mentioned in our memorandum. “

“I also had a few other opportunities to meet him. During my visits to India, both as a part of the Canadian delegations and my personal or private visits, I would make sure to call on Dr Manmohan Singh. And he was always warm and receptive. He would enquire about the strong Indo-Canadian community in general and the Canadian Punjabis in particular.

“He was not only an upright politician but also a great human being. He lived a simple and Inspirational life. I remained a great admirer of Dr Manmohan Singh,” Gurbaksh Malhi said. “I had several opportunities to meet and interact with Dr Manmohan Singh, says Gurmant Grewal, also a former Canadian MP of Indian descent.

“I accompanied a delegation of Canadian Parliamentarians to India with Preston Manning, the then Chief of Reform Party. We wanted the sanctions Canada had Imposed on India following its nuclear explosion under the BJP regime to be lifted. We met him. And he was very open. Friendly and receptive to our suggestions. He was a giant. He was not only a world-class economist but also a wonderful human being, known for his integrity and simplicity. His connectivity to people at the grassroots level made him a most revered politician not only in India but worldwide.

“He ushered in several people welfare programs, the word appreciated. I always looked forward to meeting him for exchanging Ideas on issues facing the world. He was not only well aware but also very clear in his ideas,” says Gurmant Grewal, who frequented India mostly as part of Canadian delegations, more so when Stephen Harper was the Prime Minister.

Gurmant Grewal also says that Dr Manmohan Singh had a soft corner for Canada. “He was always ready to do anything to promote bilateral relations between India and Canada as the two nations enjoy a very strong people-to-people bonding,” he added. All MPs of Indian descent who had a chance to meet or interact with him were infatuated by his warmth, simplicity and clarity. They all have been full of praise for Dr Manmohan Singh. They have joined the global Indian community in paying rich tributes to him.

 

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