Eminent freedom fighter, writer, journo, ex MP and revolutionery Painuly remembered in Delhi

The Uttarakhandies in the capital of India today remembered the great revolutionery freedom fighter, an astute politician, a former fire brand MP, an eminent progressive writer of twelve books and a forthright secularist late Paripoornanand Painuli who breathed his last at the age of 94 despite fighting till the end against Dalit oppression, the oppression of the poor and the hapless and those fighting relentlessly for their constitutional rights.

Yes I am talking about none other than a great man of free India who’d never compromised on ideals, principles, ethical politics and for the good of the country a legendary statesman late Paripoornanand Painuly who defeated late Manvendra Shah, the king of Tehri Garhwal in 1971 and represented the political constituency of Tehri Garhwal for six long years, that had the lowest per capita income in 1961.

Today, was his first condolense meeting in the capital, a grief striken ocassion, where hundreds of Uttarakhandies living in Delhi and those from Garhwal, especially from Khaas Patti, Tehri Garhwal and members of an Garhwali organisation in Delhi remembered his noble deeds with full commitment n dedication, pledging in public to follow his ideals, principles n noble deeds for the society, his secular credentials and his through out dedication for the welfare and well being of the society.

Uttarakhand’s ex chief minister n general secretary, AICC Harish Rawat termed him as a true secularist and a revolutionery who never compromised on ethics, principles and family interests but always dedicated his entire life for the good of the society, irrespective of castes, communities and narrow vested interests. Rawat said Paripoornanad Painuli lived life on his own conditions and never longed for political positions but his only aim was to see India a true secularist state.

The former minister and the tallest women leader of Congress Mohsina Kidwai said that stalwarts like Paripoornanand Painuli are born once in lifetime who dedicate their entire life for the welfare and wellbeing of the minorities, secular values, dalits and the oppressed sections of the society.

His contribution for libralising Tehri Garhwal n India from the Rajshahi and the oppression of the British neo colonial rule cannot be ever forgotten.

He was a true secular leader and a transparent Gandhian who always believed in non violence and peace to free India from the neo colonial British yoke. He served for more than 6 years in jails which unambiguously speak of the fact about his sacrificing nature and dedication for the nation added Mohsina Kidwai.

The former Secretary of Delhi Dialogue Commission and an IAS officer Joshi who had been at loggerheads with the AAP government of Delhi on principles, was very forth right to say that his Mausaaji late Paripoornanand Painuli was in true sense a great Gandhian who literally practised non violence and Gandhian philosophy through out his life but unfortunately today politicians are changing parties for their personel beneficience thus killing all the Gandhian principles and ideologies for which leaders like Paripoornanad Painuli strived hard throughout their lives.

He added that this is not only absurd n sheer opportunism but literally a huge rebuff to the Gandhian principles of ethics, morality in public life ,secularism n peaceful co existence.

The Congress leader of Uttarakhand Kishore Upadhyay said : why is it that we don’t respect an ideal and legendary figure like Paripoornanand Painuly when he is alive and then remember him for his good works when he dies.at the age og 94 ?

His daughter Tripti and son in law a journalist Manoj Gairola remembered him with full honesty saying that he was indeed a great man for whom even a provision shop owner was ready to deliever free ration for the inmates of his Ashok Ashram of Uttarkashi when he was in real problems having dearth of funds.

His daughter Prreti Gairola thanked and expressed her sincere gratitude to all the attendees for having graced the ocassion by their pivotal presence. She said she has not words to extend her gratitude to one n all.

The son of Major general Khanduri and candidate of Congress from Pauri Lok Sabha constituency Manish Khanduri paid his heartfelt tributes to this great soul and said that he is a great source of inspiration for him. He added that he was jailed for 8 years for opposing the British rule and Kingship of Tehri, Garhwal.

Sr jounalist Umakant Lakhera mentioned certain instances of his association with Painuliji during the last four decades and said that he was the one who never conpromised on principles, morality and ethics and always fought against the then Tehri Garhwal Rajshahi and the British to gain independence despite being jailed for several years.

The condolense meeting was attended by good number of socio political activists, journos, representatives of NGOs, members of Garhwal Hiteshini Sabha and late Painuly’s relatives and friends. The proceedings of the meeting were ably anchored by the general secretary of Garhwal Hiteshini Sabha Pawan Maithani at Garhwal Bhawan, New Delhi.