Bibi Surinder Kaur, wife of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, died on Tuesday at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) here after a prolonged battle with cancer. She was 72.
She is survived by her husband, son Sukhbir Singh, who is the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, and daughter Parneet Kaur.
According to an official release, cremation will take place at the family's native Badal village in Muktsar district on Wednesday. Ms. Kaur was afflicted by cancer more than two years ago.
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Twice she was flown to the U.S. for treatment. She was admitted to the PGI about ten days ago.
During the past five years she had been instrumental in organising a series of langars (community kitchens) across the State, especially streamlining the community meals at the langar of Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple complex) in Amritsar.
A direct descendant of the legendary Sikh general Baba Fateh Singh who killed Sirhind Governor Wazid Khan to facilitate Baba Banda Singh Bahadur recapturing Sirhind from Mughals, Surinder Kaur married Mr. Badal in 1959. Despite being a post-graduate, she preferred to be a home-maker and provide stability to the family, especially during the 17 years Mr. Badal spent in jail during various political movements launched by the Akali Dal.
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Condolence messages have begun pouring in from various sections of the political, social and administrative spectrum. Governor Shivraj Patil in his message shared the grief of the Badal family. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur, who is an MP from Patiala, Punjab Assembly Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh, Leader of Opposition Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, all members of the State Cabinet and senior leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal and alliance partner BJP have sent condolence messages.
Staff Reporter adds from Delhi: In a message, President Pratibha Patil has condoled the death of Ms. Kaur.
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and INLD supremo Om Parkash Chautala have also expressed grief over the death.