India, May 29 -- The Government of India issued the following news release:

Hon'ble Governor of Punjab, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria. All my life, I have drawn inspiration from him, and when in difficulty, I knocked his door early morning. It is coincidence that where I am, but his role is tremendous in that. One of the very senior leaders of the country and for Punjab as Governor and Administrator for Chandigarh, the right man at the right place.

Every word spoken by Hon'ble Governor Gulab Chand Kataria was like a Gulab. Chosen words, he premises his presence, gives us details of Malti Devi Ji in a manner which is remarkable. He has lived life on principles. Meneka Ji, it is very difficult for a politician to live life by principles. I am personally beholden and privileged and honoured that he is present on this occasion.

Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi was my senior colleague in the Ministry in 1990. We were elected to Parliament in 1989 together. I lost my way after first victory. She continued winning and became at one time a Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, with the highest number of years. She is one of the toughest women on the planet and I tested her might while being Governor State of West Bengal. There were dogs in Raj Bhavan that had strayed. I directed my staff to clear the area. I do not know what kind of communication channel you have. I got a call from her and she said, who is so-and-so in your office, Mr. Dhankhar? I could sense danger coming. I said, no one but accept me takes the decisions. And ma'am, please do not intervene. I have taken the decision to nurture the dogs at Raj Bhavan, to take care of them exactly as you want.

Shri Abhay Singh Chautala has played a pivotal role in my political growth. Chaudhary Devi Lal Ji happens to be one of the tallest leaders of this country who gave back to the society in terms of human talent. And that talent which was nurtured by Chaudhary Devi Lal Ji became Chief Minister in Uttar Pradesh, in Haryana, in Bihar, in Southern states and he was as tall as was his physical situation.

I was not related to him. I was surprised when, one fine day, a practicing lawyer, Jagdeep Dhankhar, what a message that, Chaudhary Devi Lal Ji will be in Rajasthan, Jaipur, and you please call on him. At 6 A.M., Chaudhary Saheb's day had started much earlier.

I said, "Sir, I am a pleader."

(Omitted Hindi content can be viewed at https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2132554 )

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.