Union Food Processing Minister Mrs. Harsimrat kaur Badal today said that Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi led NDA government has taken a lead to dedicate 70th year of Independence to those freedom fighters, war heroes and martyrs who had sacrificed their present to secure future of the nation.Addressing state level function here at Khatkar Kalan, Mrs. Badal said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to hold year long celebrations to celebrate 70th year of independence rather that just making it a formality by restricting it to 15th August celebrations. “I want to thank the Prime Minister for providing me an opportunity to salute the great land of Khatkar Kalan which gave birth to great personalities like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, his father Sardar Kishan Singh and Chacha ji Sardar Ajit Singh”, she added.Mrs. Badal said that we are living in a free nation only at the cost our great freedom fighters paid for us and our army and BSF personnel still paying for us while working in adverse climate and challenging geographical areas. She called upon the people of nation to recognize the sacrifices of these brave warriors by paying due respect to them.
She also appealed the government officials to hear and solve the grievances of the families of the freedom fighter, war heroes and martyrs on priority.Saluting the sacrifice of Sardar Ajit Singh, a role model and Chacha ji of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Mrs. Badal sought permission from the gathering at function to install the statue of Sardar Ajit Singh near the statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh to which they grant approval by raising their hands.Highlighting the achievements of two years of NDA government, Union Food Processing Minister said that under the leadership of PM Narendra Media nation has once again regained the confidence of international investors. Mrs. Badal said that she hardly witnessed PM Narendra Modi inactive during last 24 months. She said that the biggest achievement of PM Modi was that he gave a progressive image to that country which was earlier known for widespread corruption. “NDA government is working in a direction of ensuring development for all by providing equal opportunities to all, employment opportunity to youth and doubling the income of farmers in 5 years”, said Mrs. Badal.
Listing the initiatives taken by NDA government to ensure overall development of Punjab, the member parliament from Bathinda said that after a long time state has got an opportunity to get maximum from the union government. She said that Modi government has awarded Indian Institute of Management, Horticulture Institute, 5 Smart Cities, Heritage status to Sri Amritsar and All India Institute of Medical Sciences to Punjab in just 2 years. She said that her food processing ministry has also sanctioned 3 food processing parks in the state to encourage food processing industry in the state for increasing the income of farmers. She said that Rs. 40,000 crores being spent on the road infrastructure of state to give major boost to economy besides easing the life of Punjabis.Later, replying to a media query Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal replied confidently that like PPP, AAP would also act as a catalyst in ensuring victory of SAD-BJP alliance consecutively for third time and that too with a huge majority. She said that Congress party was no more a challenge for alliance.Earlier addressing the function, Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra said that the revolutions raised from the sacred soil of Khatkar Kala had waved off British rule from the nation.
He said that now it was high time to fulfill the dreams of our freedom fighters and PM Narendra Modi government has adopted pro-poor and pro-farmer programs besides framing development oriented policies to put nation on the fast track of growth and prosperity.Giving a call to the people of nation to celebrate 70th Independence year in big way, Mr. Avinash Rai Khanna, former MP and Vice President BJP said there are 555 martyrs and 40,000 army people in his Hoshiarpur district only. He gave a call to dedicate this year to pay back to these brave soldiers by contributing something from our own.Prominent amongst others, Mr. RP Singh, National Secretary BJP, Mr. Jangveer Singh, Media Advisor to Deputy CM, Mr. Manjinder Singh Sirsa, OSD to Deputy CM, Mr. Jarnail Singh Wahid, Chairman Markfed, Mrs. Varinder Kaur Thandi, Chairperson Punjab Social Welfare Board, Dr. SK Sukhi, Chairperson District Planning Committee and Sarbjot Singh Sabhi president Youth Akali Dal Doaba Zone were also present on the occasion.