Paying homage to the brave soldiers of the Indian Army, who sacrificed their lives during World War I, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday underlined the need to sensitise youth about the significant role played by our soldiers in the Great War.The Chief Minister was here to honour 15 out of a total of 152 descendants of martyrs of World War-I at a Commemoration Ceremony, organized to mark 100 years of the Great War.Captain Amarinder Singh stressed the need to preserve the rich legacy of the Indian Army, which played a commendable role along with the French and British forces, in the War. He said it was high time to sensitise the younger generations about the exemplary courage and indomitable spirit of the martyrs so that the undying war stories scripted by them could be keep alive. The Chief Minister said he had visited war museums in France and Belgium a few year back, and recently at Turkey where he paid tributes to soldiers of the Commonwealth nations who attained martyrdom in the Great War. He said that the history of the wars and the Indian armed forces should be preserved with a high spirit so that our younger generations could be cognizant about the glorious past of the Indian soldiers.Recalling the valour shown by Indian platoons in various war theatres in Europe, the Chief Minister said that the indomitable courage of martyrs could never be forgotten.
Earlier, the Chief Minister honoured 15 descendants of martyrs, including Narain Singh of 25 Indian Cavalry, with his son’s daughter-in-law Harjinder Kaur receiving the award. Others who received award were Sepoy Ganesha Singh (received by his granddaughter Hardeep Kaur), Sepoy Sunder Singh (received by his great granddaughter in law Jaswinder Kaur), Dalip Singh (received by granddaughter Veer Kaur), Sepoy Mela Singh (received by granddaughter Balbir Kaur), Sepoy Deva Singh (received by granddaughter Raj Kumari), Lance Naik Kunda Singh (grandson Pakhar Singh), Havaldar Kala Singh (received by great grandson Harpreet Singh), Sepoy Sunder Singh (received by great granddaughter Narinder Kaur), Sepoy Labh Singh (received by grandson Rajinder Singh), Lance Daffadar Harnam Singh Badial (received by granddaughter Manjit Bains), Daffadar Harnam Singh (received by Captain Harcharan Singh), Subedar Savan Singh Bahadur (received by grandson Captain Avtar Singh), Havaldar Sohan Singh (received by grandson Nachattar Singh), Havaldar Sunder Singh (received by grandson Ajit Singh) and Havaldar Arjun Singh (received by grandson Najot Singh).Senior Advisor to Chief Minister Lt. Gen T S Shergill lauded the Government for honouring the families of the great martyrs and exhorted youth to work zealously in all sectors to sustain the pride lent to Punjab by these soldiers.Secretary Defence Services Gurkirat Kirpal Singh said the Punjab Government was committed for the overall development and welfare of families of martyrs and defence personnel.Prominent amongst others present on the occasion were Member Parliament Ravneet Singh Bittu, Media Advisor to CM Raveen Thukral, MLA Surinder Dawar, families of martyrs and members of Guardians of Governance.