देश के पूर्व रक्षा मंत्री जॉर्ज फर्नांडिस का आज सुबह निधन हो गया। भारत के दिग्गज नेताओं में गिने जाने वाले जॉर्ज फर्नांडिस 88 वर्ष के थे। वह पिछले काफी समय से बीमार चल रहे थे। फर्नांडिस अल्जाइमर बीमारी से ग्रसित थे। उन्हें कुछ याद नहीं रहता था। बताया जा रहा है कि कुछ समय पहले उन्हें स्वाइन फ्लू भी हो गया था। दिल्ली के एक निजी अस्पताल में उनका इलाज चल रहा था। आज सुबह करीब 7 बजे उन्होंने अंतिम सांस ली। जॉर्ज फर्नांडिस के निधन पर पीएम नरेंद्र मोदी समेत कई केंद्रीय मंत्रियों, नेताओं और बॉलीवुड हस्तियों ने शोक व्यक्त किया है।
भारतीय राजनीति में जॉर्ज फर्नांडिस का कद, उनकी पहचान सबसे अलग रही। वह देश के उद्योग मंत्री और रक्षा मंत्री रहे थे। अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी सरकार में उन्हें रक्षा मंत्री बनाया गया था। श्रमिक संगठन के भूतपूर्व नेता और पत्रकार जॉर्ज फर्नांडिस की लोकप्रियता का अंदाजा आप इस बात से लगा सकते हैं कि साल 1967 से लेकर 2004 तक वह 9 बार लोकसभा चुनाव जीते थे। पीएम मोदी ने फर्नांडिस के निधन पर ट्वीट किया, ‘जॉर्ज साहब ने भारत के बेहतरीन नेतृत्व का प्रतिनिधित्व किया था। वह बेबाक और निर्भीक थे। उन्होंने देश के लिए अमूल्य योगदान दिया। वह गरीबों की सबसे मजबूत आवाज थे। उनके निधन से बेहद दुखी हूं।’
जॉर्ज फर्नांडिस का जन्म 3 जून, 1930 को कर्नाटक में हुआ था। जॉर्ज हिंदी, अंग्रेजी, मलयाली, तुलु, कोंकणी, तमिल, मराठी, कन्नड़, उर्दू और लैटिन भाषा जानते थे। इमरजेंसी के दौरान विपक्ष के जिन नेताओं को गिरफ्तार किया गया था, उनमें जॉर्ज फर्नांडिस भी शामिल थे। दिल्ली की तिहाड़ जेल में उन्हें रखा गया था। 1977 में वह जेल में रहते हुए मुजफ्फरपुर लोकसभा सीट से चुनाव लड़े थे और रिकॉर्ड मतों से जीत हासिल की थी। जॉर्ज फर्नांडिस को दिवंगत पूर्व पीएम अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी का विश्वसनीय माना जाता था। अपने राजनीतिक जीवन में उन्होंने अलग-अलग सरकारों में उद्योग, रेल और रक्षा मंत्रालय जैसी अहम जिम्मेदारियां संभाली थीं।
पीएम नरेंद्र मोदी ने जॉर्ज फर्नांडिस के निधन पर जताया शोक…
George Sahab represented the best of India’s political leadership.
Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised.
Saddened by his passing away.
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019
When we think of Mr. George Fernandes, we remember most notably the fiery trade union leader who fought for justice, the leader who could humble the mightiest of politicians at the hustings, a visionary Railway Minister and a great Defence Minister who made India safe and strong.
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019
During his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy. My thoughts are with his family, friends and lakhs of people grieving. May his soul rest in peace.
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019
बीजेपी सांसद सुब्रमण्यम स्वामी ने किया ट्वीट…
Very sad to hear about George Fernandes’ demise. He was a very good friend in his later years. Earlier we had ideological. differences due to his being socialist and I for market based economy but we were united in opposing TDK and residual Nehru family.
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) January 29, 2019
फिल्ममेकर मधुर भंडारकर ने भी जॉर्ज फर्नांडिस के निधन पर दुख जताया…
Sad to hear about the demise of the great stalwart leader #GeorgeFernandes. He will always be remembered for his firebrand politics and his continuous fight for labour reforms. RIP sir 🙏
— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) January 29, 2019
जॉर्ज फर्नांडिस के निधन पर केंद्रीय मंत्रियों, नेताओं व अन्य हस्तियों के ट्वीट्स…
Saddened by the demise of #GeorgeFernandes ji – a stalwart of Indian politics, an able administrator and above all, a people’s person.
— Chowkidar Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) January 29, 2019
He was the creator of #Konkan #Railways as Railway minister – when all others in #Finance and other Ministries opposed it, he single handedly did it, picked up Mr. Sridharan, created separate corporation to execute it, raised bonds by public meetings #GeorgeFernandes
— Chowkidar Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) January 29, 2019
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on #GeorgeFernandes: I offer condolences at his passing away. He committed his life to the country. He fought for justice for trade unions. I considered him an icon. pic.twitter.com/gf42Kxg1Yj
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019
"One should learn from the past, but one should not live in the past. My concern is to look to the future, learn from the past, and deal with the present."
– #GeorgeFernandesThe national has lost a veteran political fighter. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/i0frvozoYV
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) January 29, 2019
#GeorgeFernandes Deeply saddened on his demise. My association with him was for more than four decades. He was a role model for me. He always fought for d welfare of labour class & under privileged classes. His contribution in Indian politics & Parliament will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/kUZFQscPL1
— SHARAD YADAV (@SharadYadavMP) January 29, 2019
Extremely shocked and saddened by the demise of Former Union Minister and Defence Minister Shri. #GeorgeFernandes.
I extend my condolences to his family and may God rest his soul in peace. pic.twitter.com/Qfln9Qit8e
— KJ George (@thekjgeorge) January 29, 2019
#GeorgeFernandes during the Emergency years. Never forget him, and never forgive those who bared their dictatorial fangs in the 1970s. pic.twitter.com/mAZZdRABoz
— Anuj Dhar (@anujdhar) January 29, 2019
Heartfelt tributes to Anti-Emergency crusader to Pokhran N-blast to Kargil war hero to Anti- Congress voice #GeorgeFernandes .
Om Shanti🙏— प्रशान्त पटेल उमराव (@ippatel) January 29, 2019
My prayers for #GeorgeFernandes Sahab. May his soul rest in heavenly peace. George Sahab's sacrifice for the downtrodden would be remembered for ages. His life is also a message for people like us who have to fight the Big and Mighty inspite of all adversities. pic.twitter.com/nVdZwjuUTo
— Upendra Kushwaha (@UpendraRLSP) January 29, 2019
Extremely saddened to hear about the demise of socialist leader, fighter & former Defence Minister Shri. #GeorgeFernandes Sahab.
I extend my deep condolences to his family and May God rest his soul in peace. We will miss him
— Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) January 29, 2019
Deeply saddened to know about the passing of Former Defense & Railway Minister, Shri #GeorgeFernandes
His contribution to Indian politics & more particularly in socialist movement has been immense.
May God grant his family strength in this time of grief. RIP pic.twitter.com/gjjzyqNtS1
— Arjun Modhwadia (@arjunmodhwadia) January 29, 2019
Pained by the sad demise of Shri #GeorgeFernandes ji. A remarkable leader who served the Nation in various capacities. A trade union leader, who fought the emergency fiercely. His contribution as the Railway & Defence Minister will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences. pic.twitter.com/PKnOfi0FB2
— Chowkidar Rajiv Pratap Rudy (@RajivPratapRudy) January 29, 2019
Saddened to learn about the demise of former Defence Minister & towering mass leader #GeorgeFernandes ji. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family members and well-wishers. pic.twitter.com/gsw3UftB3h
— Chowkidar Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) January 29, 2019
Sad to hear of the demise of former Defence Minister Shri #GeorgeFernandes . He was a towering mass leader. My condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace🙏
— Naveen Jindal (@MPNaveenJindal) January 29, 2019
समाजवादी आंदोलन के महानायक, मेरे प्रिय जननेता जॉर्ज फर्नांडिस जी को विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि! ऐसे सादगीप्रिय एवं जुझारू नेता अब न होंगे।
ॐ शांति 🙏#GeorgeFernandes pic.twitter.com/H4NKBc6tBT— Malini Awasthi (@maliniawasthi) January 29, 2019
