The Prime Minister has condoled the passing away of War veteran and former Union Minister Col Rao Ram Singh.  In his condolence message to the departed leader's son Shri Sanjay Yadav the Prime Minister described Col Ram Singh as a leader whose  contribution to the welfare of the defence personnel and farmers and agricultural labourers will long be remembered.

The text of the Prime Minister's message is as follows:

"It is with great sadness that I learnt of the demise of your father  Col Rao Ram Singh.

Col Ram Singh was a leader who served his country and people with great distinction in a long career. A  war veteran  Col Ram Singh saw battle in the second world war in Burma and fought in the 1962 and 1965 wars. He later joined politics and was a Minister in the Haryana Government and then the Speaker of the Assembly. Col Ram Singh was my colleague in the Council of Ministers in the Central Government in the early nineties and distinguished himself as a Member of Parliament for two consecutive terms.

In Col Ram Singh's passing away, we have lost a leader whose contribution to the cause of the welfare of the defence personnel,  farmers and agricultural labourers will long be remembered.

On this sad occasion, I extend my heartfelt condolences to you and other members of the bereaved family, and to all those who looked up to him for guidance. I pray for peace of the departed soul."