Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the representatives of all the political parties to strictly maintain decorum, discipline and refrain from creating ruckus by way of ‘hooting’ and other unsavory acts of distraction during public functions. Interacting with the media persons of the sidelines of the function to mark the launch of scheme for the welfare of Widows here at PAU, the Chief Minister said that this unhealthy practice was not only undemocratic but also ethically and morally deplorable. Asked to comment on the recent incidents of ‘hooting’ during Prime Minister’s function in Haryana, Mr. Badal said that he was unable to comment specifically as he never knew whether this incident was just spontaneous or well planned.
Replying to another query regarding the RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement on Hindutva, the Chief Minister said that India being a secular and sovereign state was inhabited by people of different religions, castes, faiths and communities and therefore we must respect all the religions with reverence and should abstain from hurting the sentiments of people having faith in different religions and cults. Mr. Badal categorically said that he had been a true votary of peace, communal harmony and brotherhood throughout his political career spanning over nearly six decades and had ever given the precedence to it even over other important aspects of development and infra structural growth.
Earlier addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister highly appreciated he philanthropic gesture of founder Chairman of Loomba Foundation Lord Raj Loomba for launching the project to offer self employment opportunities to the Widows by imparting training in tailoring, stitching, embroidery and dress designing. He called upon the leading Industrialists and entrepreneurs to come forward for setting up such welfare projects in partnership with government adding he said that the state government would extend all possible help and cooperation in this regard. Mr. Badal impressed upon the trustee Mrs. Aruna Oswal to come up with a detailed proposal for establishing such project jointly in collaboration with the state government.
The Chief Minister said that the state government had already been giving matching grant to establish any sort of development project by NRIs in his or her village/ city and today’s launch of this project jointly by Loomba foundation and state government in which both have equally invested Rs 1 crore each was a part of this ambitious scheme. Underscoring the need to develop several skill development projects, Mr. Badal said that it was the need of hour and the philanthropist like Lord Loomba should further take the lead to transform the destiny of our state on one hand besides shaping the future of millions of unemployed youth on the other.
In his welcome address the founder trustee Lord Raj Loomba said it was his dream project which had been finally fulfilled with the support of the Punjab government. He highly commended the Chief Minister for his concern for the poor and needy by initiating welfare projects/ schemes and today’s launch of this pro-people project was a positive step in this direction. Lord Loomba lamented the plight of widows in the society especially as his own mother became widow when he was just 10 years old and hardships and mental agony through which she passed in nurturing him, inspired him the most to bring this project on ground.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Commissioner NRI Affairs Mr. B Purshartha, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Rajat Aggarwal, Champion of the foundation Graham Tobbell and his wife Mrs. Susane Tobbell.