Senior Akali leader cremated with state honours

LUDHIANA: Senior Akali leader and former MP Gurcharan Singh Galib (82) was cremated with state honours at his ancestral village Galib Kalan of Ludhiana district on Sunday. Cabinet minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon and thousands of people from all walks of life had gathered at village Galib Kalan to bid adieu to Gurcharan Singh Galib, who passed away after a brief illness at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), on Saturday.
Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal laid a floral wreath on behalf of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal. A contingent of the Punjab Police reversed their arms and fired shots in the air as a mark of respect to the 82-year-old leader. The pyre was lit by Galib's son Karajan Singh Galib in the presence of other family members, including wife Amarjeet Kaur, daughters Manjeet Kaur, Karamjit Kaur, Gurpreet Kaur, and other family members. While speaking to mediapersons, Sharanjit Singh Dhillon said Gurcharan Singh Galib was one of the tallest pillars of modern times and a great leader. "Very few men can match his charisma, determination, and courage to speak his mind on issues concerning people whom he loved and represented," said Dhillon.
Gurcharan Singh Galib was born at Galib Kalan village of Ludhiana district on December 1, 1932. He did his graduation from SCD Government College, Ludhiana. In the year 1964, he became president, Panchayat Samiti, Sidhwan Bet, and in 1967, he was elected as an MLA from Jagraon constituency. In 1990, he became president, District Congress Committee, Ludhiana, and in 1992 and 1999, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Ludhiana on a Congress ticket. Galib joined Shiromani Akali Dal in 2009, and he was the vice-president and member of Political Affairs Committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal.