Reiterating that it was bounden duty of the state government to preserve our rich cultural heritage for the future generations till eternity, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that those nations who tend to forget their cultural past and heritage were bound to be vanished with the passage of time.Addressing the gathering during a function to mark the commemoration of Golden Jubilee of Punjabi suba here today, the Chief Minister said that it goes to the credit of SAD-BJP government, which undertook momentous task to preserve the glorious cultural heritage of Punjab through state-of-the-art memorials and monuments viz. Virasat-E-Khalsa, Chotta and Wada Ghallughara, Baba Banda Singh War Memorial, State War Heroes Memorial & Museum. Apart from these, Jang-E-Azadi Memorial, Baba Jeevan Singh (Bhai Jaita Ji), Guru Ravidass Ji Memorial and Bhagwan Valmiki Sthal would soon be dedicated to the mankind in the coming days. Concerted efforts of the state government in this regard, were to perpetuate the glorious and rich legacy of our great culture especially amongst the younger generations so as to enable them to connect with their roots.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the Congress leadership was well known for betrayal with Punjab since the times of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, who had promised to create Punjabi Suba on linguistic lines on which they later backtracked. Paying homage to the great heroes who made unique sacrifices for the formation of Punjabi suba, Mr. Badal said that every Punjabi was indebted to these sons of soil who made this distant dream a reality. He said that it was on record that nearly 59000 people were imprisoned and 43 attained martyrdom during this struggle.The Chief Minister said that the Punjabis in general and Sikhs in particular have inherited a glorious legacy of sacrifice and valour from the great Sikh Gurus, who taught them to fight against tyranny, oppression and injustice. Recalling the unparalleled and unique sacrifices made by Punjabis in the Indian freedom struggle, he mentioned that 80% sacrifices had been made by Punjabis alone in the national freedom movement despite the fact they merely constituted two percent of country’s population. Mr. Badal further said that it was also a matter of sheer pride and honor for us that all the watershed movements associated with the country’s freedom struggle like Kuka, Ghadar, Kamagata Maru, Agrarian, Gurdwara Reforms and Babbar Akali were spear headed by the brave Punjabis.
The Chief Minister said that even after independence the Punjabis have been at centre stage in ensuring prosperity and overall development of the country besides safeguarding the borders of the nation from the external aggressions.Reminding the people about the notorious past of Congress, the Chief Minister said that Congress has irrelevantly meddled in the social, political, economic and even religious affairs of the state. He further bemoaned that the Congress governments at the centre had deliberately denied the state of Punjabi speaking areas, its capital Chandigarh and even its legitimate share in river waters. Mr. Badal said that Congress was solely responsible for pushing the state in the black days of terrorism due to which the progress and prosperity of state took a back seat.Assailing the Congress party for its anti-Punjab stance, the Chief Minister said that Congress has always pursued divisive politics for the sake of its vested political interests. He further bemoaned that the Congress leadership betrayed the state even stooping too low by creating a wedge between the two peace loving principle communities just for to meet their political end. Mr. Badal said that due to around 60 years of misrule of Congress the country was confronting several social maladies like unemployment, illiteracy, poverty and others.
In his address the Union Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley rechristened the year 2016 as the period of reconstructing Punjab and putting it on high growth trajectory. Lauding the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister for giving boost to overall development of the state, he said that in last decade Punjab has witnessed unparalleled development. Mr. Jaitley said that though the long rule of Congress party proved detrimental for the peace and progress of state, but the NDA government at centre and alliance government in Punjab has restored its pristine glory within a short span.Lauding the Chief Minister for rendering stupendous service to the state and its people, the Union Finance Minister said that Punjab was today on path of resurgence due to the towering and dominating personality of Mr. Badal, who has changed the face of the state. He said that during the crisis faced by the state any other person could have easily bowed for personal gains. However, Mr. Jaitley said that the Chief Minister gave top priority to the service of Punjab and its people rather than any personal gains. “Punjab is on the path of glory just because of Mr. Badal’s humane persona and spirit of selfless service of mankind and the development of state” he added.The Union Finance Minister said that the sole motive of SAD-BJP alliance was to unite Punjab and promote the ethos of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood amongst the people. He said that during the black days of terrorism the alliance healed the wounds of people and brought normalcy back in the state. Mr. Jaitley said that due to concerted efforts of alliance the state was witnessing unparallel development in every sector. In his address Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Punjabi suba was the result of countless sacrifices made by the great heroes who struggled relentlessly for this noble cause. He said that even after formation of Punjab the successive Congress governments denied the state of its capital, Punjabi speaking area and even legitimate share in river waters. The Deputy Chief Minister avowed to fight constantly till all these territorial issues were resolved.
Likewise, the Deputy Chief Minister said that every Punjabi would fight till the culprits of the anti Sikh genocide of 1984 were not put behind the bars. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Punjabis were a martial race who had made countless sacrifices while opposing the tyranny, injustice and oppression unleashed during the rule of Mughals and Britishers. He said that Punjabis were blessed with indomitable spirit of hard work and resilient due to which they have proved their mettle across the globe.
Deputy Chief Minister said that Punjab was only 2.5% of India’s territory but produce maximum food grains. He said that while other states have developed only some pockets but SAD-BJP alliance government in the state has ensured holistic development of the state. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Punjab has witnessed maximum development in last 20 years out of which 15 years under the able leadership of Mr.Badal.Slamming the opposition for their tirade to defame state, the Deputy Chief Minister said that Punjab was today a leading state in the country which was not only Power surplus but was also supplying cheapest power to its consumers. He said that Punjab was having best road infrastructure adding that in coming six months all the towns of state would be equipped with facility of 100% water supply and sewerage. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Punjab was having Best Irrigation network and was top in Kinnow, Milk and Guava production in the country adding that it was the state with highest litchi yield too.The Deputy Chief Minister said that in industrial sector also Punjab was leading the country in Hosiery, cycles, tractors and agricultural equipment, sports and hand tool sector adding that it was second in textile manufacturing. He said that in last 50 years Punjab has witnessed unparalleled development but still lot has to be done.
In his address Union Minister for state and Punjab BJP President Mr. Vijay Sampla lauded Deputy Chief Minister for giving facelift to the holy city. He also complimented the Chief Minister for taking massive steps for preservation of glorious heritage of the state. Mr. Sampla said that the entire state would be indebted to the Chief Minister for taking these historic steps for the service of the state and its people.On the occasion, the Chief Minister accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister felicitated prominent Punjabis in recognition with their outstanding contribution in different fields. These recipients included Union Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley, Olympian Mr. Ajit Pal Singh, Olympian Mr. Abhinav Bindra, Olympian Mr. Balbir Singh Senior, General (Retd.) JJ Singh, Ex- Lieutenants Governor Delhi Mr. Tajinder Khanna, Folk Singer Mr. Gurdas Mann besides industrialists including Mr. Kamal Oswal, Mr. Rajinder Gupta, Mr. Pankaj Munjal, Mr. Rakesh Bharti Mittal and Mr. SP Oswal. Likewise, next of the kin of eminent heroes associated with Punjabi Suba movement including Sant Fateh Singh, Shaheed Darshan Singh Pheruman, Seth Ram Nath and Master Tara Singh were also honored.Prominent amongst other who were present on the occasion included Union Food Processing Minister Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Speaker of state Assembly Dr Charanjeet Singh Atwal, Cabinet Ministers Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Mr. Anil Joshi and Mr. Janmeja Singh Sekhon, MPs Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Jathedar Ranjeet Singh Brahmpura, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Mr. Shawet Malik, former BJP President Mr. Kamal Sharma, President SGPC Jathedar Avtar Singh, President DSGMC Mr. Manjeet Singh GK, General Secretary DSGMC Mr. Manjinder Singh Sirsa besides several MLAs, SGPC Members and workers of SAD-BJP alliance.