Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday paid floral tributes to former Lok Sabha Speaker Dr. Gurdial Singh Dhillon on the occasion of his birth anniversary at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.
Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, Members of Parliament, former Members of Parliament, Lok Sabha Secretary-General Utpal Kumar Singh, and other dignitaries also offered floral tributes to the veteran parliamentarian during the commemorative event.
Dhillon is remembered as a distinguished parliamentarian, freedom fighter and journalist who made significant contributions to India’s parliamentary democracy and public life.
Born in Amritsar on August 6, 1915, Dhillon actively participated in India’s freedom movement and the Kisan Movement before turning to journalism after Independence. As the Chief Editor of the Urdu daily Sher-e-Bharat and Managing Director of National Sikh Newspapers Ltd., he worked to promote communal harmony and social unity through his writings.
Dhillon entered Parliament after being elected to the Fourth Lok Sabha from Taran Taran in 1967. He was unanimously elected Speaker of the Fourth Lok Sabha on August 8, 1969, and was re-elected as Speaker of the Fifth Lok Sabha on March 22, 1971. He served as Speaker with distinction until December 1, 1975.
His portrait, painted by artist Samir Das, was unveiled by the then President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, on February 10, 2014. The portrait is displayed in the Outer Lobby of Samvidhan Sadan, commemorating his enduring contribution to India’s parliamentary traditions.
