A condolence meeting was held at the Raj Bhawan here on Sunday following the demise of the first governor of Uttarakhand, Surjit Singh Barnala. Expressing deep grief at the demise of Barnala on the weekend, Uttarakhand governor Krishan Kant Paul paid floral tributes at the photograph of the state’s first governor.
Speaking on the occasion, the governor said that the death of Barnala is an irreparable loss to the nation. He further said that with his political capability, sensibility, intelligence, administrative skill and experience, Barnala had faced various challenges while discharging his responsibilities in various posts, serving the nation and winning the hearts of the people of the nation.
The governor said, “As the first governor of the newly created Uttarakhand state, his creative tenure will always be remembered. His congenial disposition and the easy access to him provided to members of all the different sections of society will always keep him alive in the hearts of the people,” said Paul. According to the Raj Bhawan, the governor has also written a letter to the bereaved family members of Barnala and expressed his condolences to them. As a representative of the governor of Uttarahkand, the protocol officer of the Raj Bhawan, SS Saklani has also been sent to attend the funeral rites of the late Barnala. The governor’s representative will offer a wreath of Barnala’s mortal remains and also deliver the letter written by the Uttarakhand governor to the bereaved family members.
At the condolence meet held in the Raj Bhawan in Dehradun, the governor’s secretary Bhupinder Kaur Aulakh and all officers and staff of the Raj Bhawan were present.