Dr Gill shares his bond with Ludhiana

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 15

Dr Manohar Singh Gill, former Chief Election Commissioner, has achieved a lot in his life but he extends its credit to the city of Ludhiana. He says the city has played a constructive role in building his personality which has helped him rise to the highest positions.

Dr Gill has been an IAS officer, Chief Election Commissioner, Member of the Rajya Sabha and the Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports in the Union Government. Dr Gill, who was in the city today, said: “Ludhiana has given me warmth and affection and I had a lot to pay in return.”

“The city has given me a lot, highly standardised education at SCD Government College, a creative and supporting life partner and an acclaimed position. I could not have achieved the highest positions in my life if the culture, warmth and affection of Ludhiana have not supported me,” he said.

Former Chief Election Commissioner has done a lot for the city as member of the Rajya Sabha and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports. Grants worth Rs 1 crore has been given to SCD Government College to establish computer labs, girls hostel, etc.

Dr Gill said: “I am deeply attached to the trees surrounding the hockey ground at SCD Government College, Ludhiana, where I used to play as a student.”

He has planted many trees in and around the college and was pained by felling of some of them to clear ground for the visit of late Indira Gandhi.

Dr Gill was at SCD Government College for its annual function. On this occasion, his book "Lahaul Spiti di Kahaniyan" was also released. It is a Punjab translation of his book, originally written in English. The Hindi version of the book was released earlier.

The book is actually a product of his own imagination, though the origin of the subject matter lies in the cultural tales prevalent in this district of Ladakh where he was posted in 1961.

Yesterday, he inaugurated Dr Amrita Pritam Girls Hostel at Punjab Agricultural University. While addressing the senior officers, faculty and students, Dr Gill lauded the rising number of girls taking admission in agricultural courses and moving on to occupy high positions across the board. “When you educate a girl, you educate the entire generation,” he remarked, adding that “it is unfortunate to see prevalence of female foeticide in the rural areas of the state.”