Rs. 100 crore will be spent on promotion of Eco Tourism in Punjab and tourism in the state will be promoted to attract more tourists in the state. This was stated by Sohan Singh Thandal Minister of Tourism & Cultural Affairs Punjab while addressing the press at Historic Place Baba Banda Singh Bahadar War Memorial at Chaparchiri.Here at Chaparchiri, Sh. Thandal warmly welcomed Mr. Pat Farmer & his wife Tania Farmer and flagged them off for the Spirit of India Run- 2016 from Kanyakumari to Srinagar, organised by GOI in cooperation with High Commissioner of India Canberra. Worth mentioning at here, that Mr. Pat Farmer is former MP and former minister of sports at Australia. While addressing the press, Sh. Thandal appreciating the Spirit of India run said this event will be a message of peace and humanity and will also strengthen the relations of both the countries. Moreover it will also promote tourism in the Punjab state.
Before this, MP Prof. Prem Singh chandumajra along with Mr. Pat Farmer & his wife Tania Farmer visited the chaparchiri and explained them about the historic importance of Chaparchiri. Addressing the press he said that the Spirit of India Run will promote India- Australia relations and expose Australians to real side of India. Answering the question regarding SYL, he said that SAD is respects the Decision taken by Hon'ble Supreme Court and is committed for the same, but the matter regarding water can be resolved mutually by all the parties. He said that, Punjab Govt. has not done any illegal activity by De-notifying the land acquired under SYL. He said that SYL canal has become a problem for the farmer's rather providing water to them because wild animals could harm the crops. As such, keeping in view the demand of farmers, the decision for De-notification was taken. He said that marching by Minister and Legislators of Haryana in Punjab Vidhan Sabha is very disagreeable. During this Pat farmer said that the warm welcome received by him at Chaparchiri is a memorable moment for his life.
During this Sr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajara, & Sr. Surjeet singh Ablowal form Punjab Heritage & Tourist Promotion Board specially honoured Mr. Pat Farmer & his wife Tania Farmer. During this SAD Jathebandak Secretary Amrik Singh Mohali, Youth Akali Dal Leader Raja Kanwar Jot Singh Mohali, MD Laborfed PArminder Singh Sohana, CEO Punjab Heritage & Tourist Board Sh. Navjot Singh Randhawa, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sh. Poonamdeep Kaur, SDM Sh. Lakhmeer Singh, Nodal Officer Smt. Nayan Bhullar, District Education Officer Sh. Mewa Singh Sidhu, Secretary Zila PArishad Sh. Ravinder Singh Sandhu, Coordinator Nehru Yuwa Kender Sh. Paramjeet Singh, Tehsildar Sh. Ravinder Bansal, Naib Tehsildar Gurpreet Singh, A.S. Grewal, Lecturer Gurmeet Singh Kharar, Nambardar Satnam SIngh LAndran and other reputed persons and officers were present. Before this, Mr. Pat Farmer and his wife Tania Farmer received a warm welcome at YPS chowk SAS Nagar.