Shri Balramji Dass Tandon
Governor Shri Balramji Dass Tandon was born in Amritsar, Punjab on 1st November, 1927. He completed his graduation from Punjab University, Lahore. He was actively involved in various social activities and causes of public interest. His selflessness in social service and public welfare works made Shri Tandon popular among the masses.
Shri Balramji Dass Tandon was first elected as Corporator of Amritsar Municipal Corporation in 1953 and became member of Vidhan Sabha from Amritsar 4 times i.e. in year 1957, 1962, 1967 and 1977. In Vidhan Sabha elections of 1997, Shri Tandon was elected from Rajpura Vidhan Sabha constituency. He has served as Cabinet Minister in Punjab in various ministries like industry, health, labour and employment. From 1979 to 1980, Shri Tandon served as the Leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha. Shri Tandon has taken part in the International Conference of Labour Department in Geneva as deputy leader of Indian delegation. He has also represented Indian team in the conference of SAARC Nations in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal.
Shri Tandon was jailed in 1975 to 1977 during Emergency. Even then he continued to raise issues of public interest before state government. In 1991, Lok Sabha elections were announced at the time when terrorist activities in Punjab were at its peak. But Shri Tandon came forward to contest elections from Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency, which was considered to be the most terrorist-affected area at that time. During the election campaign, terrorists attacked him several times but fortunately, he remained unhurt.
Shri Balramji Dass Tandon played an important role in providing basic facilities to the people coming from Pakistan, after partition of the country in year 1947. During Indo-Pak war in year 1965, Shri Tandon made significant contribution in boosting the morale of people living in Amritsar district near borders. Between 1980 and 1995, he motivated the people of Punjab to fight against terrorism. He formed a committee to help terrorist-affected families. Shri Tandon was himself the chairman of this forum. As Chairman of ‘Competent Foundation’, he served the poor and the needy people by organizing various public welfare programmes like blood donation camp, free medicine distribution, free operations etc.
His son Shri Sanjay Tandon has written biography of him titled ‘Shri Balramji Dass Tandon – ‘Ek Prerak Charitra’, which was released in year 2009 by the former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani. This programme was presided over by the then Chief Minister of Punjab Prakash Singh Badal. Shri Tandon has keen interest in sports. He has been an active sportsman of sports like wresting, volleyball, swimming and kabaddi.
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