| Surjit Singh Barnala | |
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| In office November 3, 2004 – present |
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| Preceded by | P. S. Ramamohan Rao |
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| Succeeded by | None |
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| Born | October 21, 1925 Ateli, Haryana, India |
| Political party | Shiromani Akali Dal |
| Spouse(s) | Surjit Kaur Barnala |
| Religion | Sikhism |
Surjit Singh Barnala (born October 21, 1925) is the present governor of Tamil Nadu, India. He has held that position since November 2004. During his eventful career in Indian politics he has been Governor of four states, Chief Minister of Punjab, a Minister in the Union Cabinet twice, a Vice-Presidential candidate.
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Early life
Barnala was born in Ateli village, which was then part of Nabha, Punjab state. Born of a well-to-do family (his father was a magistrate), Barnala passed Law from Lucknow University in 1946. In Lucknow, he was involved in the Quit India Movement of 1942. Subsequently he practised law for some years, and became politically active in the late '60s, rising through the ranks of Akali Dal. Though, he first stood for election in 1952 but lost by a meager 4 votes.
Politics
Mr.Barnala was also the party president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal) ,but had to resign as per the rule, he could not be the head of two govt. office of profit.
Barnala served as chief minister of Punjab from September 29, 1985 until May 11, 1987. Barnala, a Sikh and a member of the Sikh political party Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal) served as chief minister at a difficult time, this was a period of terrorism in Punjab. The state had been in Barnala's rule from 1983 to 1985, and after nearly two years in office, president's rule was imposed.
Since then, Barnala has served as a governor of several states. He first served as Governor of Tamil Nadu from 1990 to 1991 for about seven months. Barnala refused to recommend the dismissal of the Tamil Nadu government, and when he was later transferred as Governor of Bihar he choose to resign. He was the Governor of Uttarakhand from its creation in 2000 until 2003, and Governor of Andhra Pradesh from 2003 to 2004 , and he took up his current post as Governor of Tamil-Nadu .
In 1997 and 2008, Barnala was a candidate to the vice-president of India.
Barnala was elected to the Indian Parliament thrice. In 1977 he served as Food, Agriculture & Rural Development minister in Morarji Desai Ministry in 1998 as Chemical & Fertilizers, Food & Consumer Affairs minister in the Second Vajpayee Ministry.He lost the Lok Sabha elections in 1999.
Author
He has authored a book "Story of an Escape" which has been translated from English to Hindi and Urdu. His second book that was released in December 2007, is titled "My Other Two Daughters". Painting is his hobby and four exhibitions of his works have been held. The proceeds from his recent exhibitions went to charity.[1]
Barnala Family
Surjit Singh Barnala is married to Surjit Kaur Barnala.Bibi Surit kaur has recently become the President of Shriomni Akali Dal(Longowal) http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090821/punjab.htm#4
They have a daughter Amrit Kaur,who is married to an Army officer Maj.Adesh Pal Singh Sandhu. His son , Jasjit singh Barnala is a businessman.He runs Barnas & Co http://www.barnasinternational.in/ .Ganganjit Singh Barnala has started his political career following his father's foot steps. ,"he is also known as the best-dressed man in the assembly" By INDIAN EXPRESS.There youngest son Neilinder Singh Barnala died in a car accident in 1996.They have seven grand-children.
References
External links
| Government offices | ||
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| Preceded by Ranjit Singh Dayal |
Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands 1990–1993 |
Succeeded by Vakkom Purushothaman |
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