2336 Manmohan Singh former Prime Minister Today marks 140 years of existence of one of India’s most celebrated news dailies, The Tribune. It has, without an ounce of doubt, evolved and emerged during this course of time as the daily staple, as indeed a record-keeping sentinel of the northern states and UTs, as also of the nation itself. I am happy to say that it is ‘my Morning Paper’ — has been for the longest time, and will continue to be. This great journal’s journey through 140 years is a journey of India — our evolution as an independent sovereign country and thereafter nation-building. It is a remarkable testimony to the vision of its founder Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia. Imbued with liberal values and committed to fight obscurantism and superstition, Sardar Majithia wanted a means of reforming society. He was an enlightened and visionary patriot who believed that the salvation of the country lay in imparting all-round, systematic and modern education. To fulfil his great purpose, he allocated a substantial part of his assets for establishing three trusts, each responsible for setting up an institution that would endure the test of time. Thus, an English newspaper, a public library and a college came into existence. Of these, The Tribune, founded in February 1881, has proven to be the most popular and by far the most influential.