On the occasion of the 72nd Independence Day, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh conferred state awards to 17 eminent personalities for their outstanding contribution in various fields.The awardees were social activists, sports personalities, progressive entrepreneurs and government officials, who had made extraordinary efforts to achieve their respective targets besides playing a significant role in the social sector.The Chief Minister conferred Certificate and cash award to Sahil Chopra of Patiala for clinching 8 international and 13 national level medals in swimming.The second recipient, Yashvir Goyal from Bathinda, was a deaf and dumb child who excelled in Badminton and Chess games and brought laurels for the city and the state by securing several medals in state and national badminton and chess championships.District Programme Officer Tarn Taran Hardeep Kaur was honoured for her commendable services in ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’. With her strenuous efforts and work, the Tarn Taran District had been enlisted among three best districts in impressive community category.Eliza Bansal of Lehragaga, Sangrur was honoured for securing first position in All India Examination of AIIMS. Her award was received by Principal Pardeep Kumar on her behalf.Forest and wild life security officer Davinder Singh received the award for discharging his duties with utmost dedication, devotion, passion and honesty.In industrial sector, Industrialist Anil Bharti, who is president of Swami Vivekanand Swaraj Ashram Trust Ludhiana, was honoured for his exemplary social services.
Shalma Sall of Payal sub division was awarded for successfully running a gaushala and looking after 33 cows having nil milk production. She was spreading the message of communal harmony and oneness in the society, while Rupinder Kaur, who is president of Power House Youth Club Patiala, was also honoured for her social services and fight against social evils including drugs, female foeticide, dowry etc.Renowned industrialist Sanjiv Arora was honoured for serving cancer patients and ensuring free of cost treatment to more than 100 cancer patients of poor families since 2005.The Chief Minister also honoured Sukhpal Singh, sanitary inspector of Nagar Council Ferozepur for effectively implementing Swachh Bharat mission and constructing toilets in 1270 houses.Gobinder Sohal, who is an artist by profession at Patiala, was honoured for his rare paintings relating to religious and historic importance.Jasmeen Kaur of Bathinda, who brought gold medal in international sub junior Asian powerlifting championship-2018, and Husnpreet Kaur of village Charri, Fatehgarh Sahib, who won silver and gold medals during fencing competitions held in England in July this year, were among other awardees.Mumtaz, who also clinched bronze in fencing championship England was awarded by the Chief Minister.The awardees also included Bahadur Singh of Bullowal Hoshiarpur for donating blood 44 times and working as an activists against drug abuse, Dr Rajnish Kapoor for his valuable services in medical field in Patiala district, and DSP Gurjot Singh Klair for excelling in countering cyber crime.