In a bid to recognise the enormous contribution of valiant people of state during Punjabi Suba struggle, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today announced to felicitate the families of those Punjabis who attained martyrdom or were jailed during this watershed movement in the history of Punjab.A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal while presiding over a high level meeting to chalk out plan to organize series of program to commemorate 50th anniversary of carving out of modern Punjab State after relentless struggle by Punjabis.Presiding over the meeting, the Chief Minister said that modern day Punjab was a result of selfless and valiant struggle launched by Punjabis to have their distinct state. He said Punjabi Suba agitation was a glorious chapter in history of state as 43 people attained martyrdom and more than 55000 courted arrest for carving out modern day Punjab. He said that this month long celebrations from October 1 to November 1 (Punjab Day) would be a humble and befitting tribute to those unsung heroes who had took part in this relentless struggle.
The Chief Minister said that since every Punjabi was indebted to these ‘sons of soil’ so functions would be held across the state to honour survivors of this unprecedented saga of struggle along with kin of those who have passed away. Likewise, he said that a suitable memorial for these heroes would be constructed at Amritsar so that people could pay tribute to them. Mr Badal also said that a state level function would be held at Amritsar on November 1 in which prominent Punjabi personalities from different walks of life across the globe would be invited.Taking part in deliberations, the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the struggle for Punjabi Suba was a heroic tale of determination, sacrifice and bravery of people for which every Punjabi feels proud. He said that series of functions would include release of commemorative volume of books on agitation, documentary film on this agitation, compilation of pictographic album and audio memories of surviving soldiers of great struggle. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that sole motive of organizing this series of functions was to apprise the youngsters about the rich legacy of state and its people.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister gave nod to constitute a committee comprising Rajya Sabha Members Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Lok Sabha MP Jathedar Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Cabinet Ministers Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, former state BJP Chief Mr. Kamal Sharma, former MP Mr. Tarlochan Singh, Chairman Punjab State Technical Education Board Jathedar Sewa Singh Sekhwan, President of DSGMC Mr. Manjit Singh GK, former SGPC Chief Dr. Kirpal Singh Badungar, Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University Dr. Jaspal Singh and Mr. Harwinder Singh Khalsa to chalk out a detailed program for function.
Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Rajya Sabha Members Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Lok Sabha MP Jathedar Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Speaker Punjab Assembly Dr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Cabinet Ministers Mr Bikram Singh Majithia, Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Mr Parminder Singh Dhindsa and Jathedar Tota Singh, former Minister Bibi Upinderjit Kaur, former state BJP Chief Mr Kamal Sharma, former MP Mr Tarlochan Singh, Chairman Punjab State Technical Education Board Jathedar Sewa Singh Sekhwan, President of DSGMC Mr Manjeet Singh GK, former SGPC Chief Dr Kirpal Singh Badungar, Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University Dr. Jaspal Singh, Mr Harvinder Singh Khalsa, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mrs Anjali Bhawra, Secretary Information and Public Relations Mr Rahul Tiwari, Additional Secretary Information and Public Relations Department Ms. Rupanjali Kartik and Director Information and Public Relations Mrs Senu Duggal.