A rousing reception was given to Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana Mandeep Singh Sidhu during a visit to his ancestral village, Sidhwan Bet, near here on Saturday. He was accompanied by MP (Rajya Sabha) Sanjeev Arora.
This was Sidhu’s first visit to his ancestral village Sidhwan Bet after joining here as Commissioner of Police about nine months ago. On arrival of both Sidhu and MP Arora at the village periphery, members of the Nagar Panchayat, villagers and others showered leaves of flowers and garlanded them on beat of drums.
Sidhu was accompanied by his family members, including mother, wife, children and sisters. Later, they were taken to the Village-Gurdwara Sahib where both Sidhu and Arora were honoured by the gurdwara management committee, nagar panchayat and various other social and religious organisations.
All the family members of Sidhu were also honoured. Speaking on the occasion, Arora remembered Sidhu’s grandfather Dr Kehar Singh Sidhu, a freedom fighter. He said Dr Kehar Singh Sidhu was also philanthropist, social reformer and a legend in the Malwa belt who also worked for promoting education in the area specially for women.
He recalled that Dr Sidhu was born in at village Sidhwan Bet near Ludhiana. Adding, Arora said Dr Sidhu is known for visiting village to village to treat people during the Plague epidemic and to spread Sri Guru Nanak Dev’s message.
He recalled that Dr Sidhu who passed away in 1986 at the age of 90 years was awarded the prestigious ‘Tamar Pattar’ from the Indian Government and the ‘Red Cross Medal’. Arora said CP Mandeep Singh Sidhu has truly followed footsteps of his grandfather and father Late Gurcharan Singh Sidhu.
He said Sidhu as a police officer always try to do justice to everyone. Arora asked the younger generation to get inspiration from Sidhu who always remembers his forefathers.
He said it is really a matter of regret that the today’s younger generation tries to sideline their elders instead of giving respect and taking care. Referring to a demand made by villagers and nagar panchayat, Arora announced to allocate a grant of Rs.25 lakh out of MPLAD Fund for setting-up of a community hall.
He handed over a letter in this regard to the village Sarpanch. He said this is not the end because he would release more funds, if required in the future.
Arora also remarked on the rousing reception given by the villagers, he said,” It was not less than giving a warm welcome to a marriage party.” However, he added that CP Sidhu deserves such a huge reception because of his overall personality and working as an honest police officer.
Commissioner of Police Mandeep Singh Sidhu also spoke on the occasion and got emotional after remembering his father and grandfather. He said Sidhwan Bet is the land of his forefathers and it was a great honour for him to be present at this place today.
He expressed his views on drug menace and asked people to become watchdog themselves to check this menace because government agencies alone cannot deal with the situation. He said public support is very much required to completely check drug menace.
He also shared his some of his experiences of about 35 years of working in Punjab Police. He lauded Arora for his services being rendered to various sections of the society.
Among others, Advocate Mohinder Singh Sidhwan and Bhuvan Goel, Director, AP Refinery Pvt Ltd., also spoke on the occasion. Goel announced a grant of Rs.10 lakh under his company’s CSR activity for construction of library and community hall in the village.