Thousands bid Saini adieu; CM attends despite illness

His two sons Gurinder Singh and Satpal Singh lit the pyre as his brothers and close family relatives stood motionless watching countless supporters of Saini,paying floral tributes with tearful eyes. It was an atmosphere of gloom all over Nalagarh town and village

The state’s Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal,despite his ill-health,reached Saini’s village and tried to console his sons and family members,including wife Gurnaam Kaur. “It was really tough for me to fight back tears. Saini ‘s untimely death due to his ailment has left a void in the area and the state,which can not be filled”,he said.

He described Saini as a renowned social worker,who always was concerned about people’s welfare and development of people of the state especially of Nalagarh. “ Till his last breath Saini worked for betterment of people of the area and faced difficulties boldly. Apart from being God fearing,Saini was a spiritual soul and totally a self-made man,who had seen poverty and even prosperity but lead a simple life”,said the Chief Minister. All top BJP leaders,cabinet ministers,sitting and former MLAs from all over the state attended the cremation ceremony with politicians from various parties also joining the locals to pay their tributes to the departed soul.

Saini had built bridges,schools,designed and fabricated irrigation and drinking water schemes in the area,often investing his own income. Reports said two ministers,Ramesh Dhawala,who was Saini’s intimate friend and Krishan Kapoor were also seen in tears. The Congress MLA from adjoining Una district turned quite emotional as Saini’s last rites were performed. Public Works Minister Gulab Singh Thakur,who only few days back had met Saini at Panckula hospital said “ Saini wanted to live as he had seen a big struggle in his life. At the end,he had lost hope yet was concerned about his area,reminding me of some of his proposals relating to roads and bridge requiring clearances”.