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Prabhjot Singh
Not many would know that Chandigarh once had a vibrant Kisan Nagar. Adjoining Punjab Raj Bhavan and spread along the Chandigarh Golf Club, it had kothis of eminent leaders, some of whom are now spearheading the farmers’ agitation. Besides nameplates and wooden television antennas, each kothi was designed in compliance with green and environment-friendly architecture.
Interestingly, Kisan Nagar had come up yards away from the then centre of power, Punjab Raj Bhavan. Though militancy was at its peak, it was the writ of farmers that ran over Kisan Nagar and its adjoining areas. Punjab was under President’s rule and the administration was under the control of the then Governor, BD Pande. He had a team of advisers to assist him.