Comrade Didi passes away at Delhi

Chandigarh, Mar 14 (UNI) Veteran Punjab CPI leader and trade union leader Madan Lal Didi passed away at Delhi last night after a prolonged illness.

He started his political career in 1942 by joining the Quit India Movement when he was a student at Government College, Ludhiana. He was a close friend of well known Hindi poet, the late Sahir Ludhianv.

He joined Communist Party of India (CPI) in the late 1940s and he also occupied important positions in the AITUC. He became General Secretary of the Punjab Trade Union Congress and remained there for nearly two decades until he was promoted to the post of President.

He also remained the Assistant Secretary of Punjab CPI and was also a member of the party's National Council. During his political activities he was sentenced to jail several times.

Apart from politics, Comrade Didi was a poet in Punjabi and Urdu and has two poetry books go to his credit. He was member of Punjabi Lekhak Sabha, Chandigarh and Kendri Punjabi Lekhal Sabha.

He leaves behind his wife, Sheila Didi, a son and two daughters.

Mrs Didi is the president of Punjab Istri Sabha.

In a condolence meeting held here today CPI National Council member Dr Joginder Dayal, state CPI secretary Bhupinder Samber and party members Bant Brar, Dr Prem Singh and Mrs Oshima Rikhy paid homage to the departed leader.

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