Punjab Defence Services Welfare, Freedom Fighters, and Horticulture Minister Shri Mohinder Bhagat unfurled the national flag at the district-level Celebration at ITI Ground in SBS Nagar on the occasion of the 76th Republic Day.
The Cabinet Minister, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Dhiman, SSP Dr. Mehtab Singh, and Parade Commander DSP Shahbaz Singh, inspected the parade and took the salute during the grand march past. On this occasion, the Minister honored freedom fighters, the families of martyred soldiers, and individuals who have made exceptional contributions to society.
Additionally, he distributed tricycles and sewing machines to those in need. A remarkable cultural program, celebrating patriotism, was presented by school children, featuring vibrant performances of Giddha and Bhangra. The tableaux, showcasing the achievements of various departments, were a key highlight of the event.
The event was also attended by MLA Banga and Chairman of the Punjab State Container and Warehouse Corporation, Dr. Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi, MLA Balachaur Santosh Kataria, and MLA Nawanshahr Nachhatar Pal. Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat, while extending his Republic Day greetings to the residents of the district, paid solemn tribute to the thousands of patriotic heroes who laid down their lives in the protracted struggle for the nation’s independence.
He also honored the invaluable contributions of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution. Minister Bhagat emphasized that the Punjab government remains steadfast in its commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of these great martyrs.
He further highlighted that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had taken the oath at Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh. In addition, the Punjab government, in a momentous decision, has installed portraits of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Baba Saheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar in government offices.
Following its pivotal role in naming the Mohali International Airport after Shaheed Bhagat Singh, the Punjab government has now erected a statue of Shaheed-e-Azam at the Airport. Minister Bhagat said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has announced that the state government will construct an 850-meter-long heritage street in the ancestral village of Shaheed-e-Azam, Khatkar Kalan, which will showcase the glorious contribution of Punjab and Punjabis in the national freedom struggle.
He also emphasized that the state government is firmly committed to the welfare of military personnel, martyrs' families, and ex-servicemen. The government has increased the ex-gratia amount for the families of martyrs from Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 1 crore, and this financial assistance scheme now also includes Agniveers.
Additionally, arrangements have been made to provide Rs. 1 crore in financial assistance to the families of police personnel who sacrificed their lives for the nation's security. Minister Bhagat further stated that the state government has increased the financial assistance provided to religious soldiers from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 12,000 per month.
He added that freedom fighters are our pride, and the government has increased the pension provided to the freedom fighters or their heirs from Rs. 9,400 to Rs. 11,000 per month. He also mentioned that the Punjab government has made provisions for the direct recruitment of descendants of freedom fighters.
The government is also paying special attention to agricultural diversification, and the area under horticulture has increased from 4,39,210 hectares to 4,81,743 hectares.He stated that employment, health, education, free electricity, and other administrative reforms are key priorities of the Punjab government, and revolutionary work has been done in these areas.
He mentioned that the Punjab government has also taken significant steps to promote sports and tourism, conserve groundwater, encourage allied agricultural industries, manage stubble burning, support sugarcane farmers, establish libraries in villages, ensure comprehensive development of villages and cities, strengthen road infrastructure, advance the industrial sector, and create a conducive environment for investment.
He added that in addition to initiatives like the Road Safety Force, Farishte Scheme, and Anti-Corruption Action Line, the Punjab government has made important strides in addressing NRI Punjabian's issues online and establishing a facilitation center at the New Delhi Airport.
He emphasized that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government is committed to transforming the state into a vibrant, prosperous, and joyful Punjab, and continuous efforts are being made in this direction.
During the event, the district administration honored the chief guest with a magnificent memento. The chief guest announced a donation of Rs. 5 lakh from his discretionary fund for the ITI Ground. Additionally, he declared a holiday for all schools in the district on January 27.
On this occasion, the following dignitaries were present: ADGP (Provisioning) Nageshwar Rao, District and Sessions Judge Priya Sood, Vice Chairman of the Punjab State Technical Education Board Lalit Mohan Pathak (Ballu), Vice Chairman of the Punjab Water Resources Management and Development Corporation Kuljeet Singh Sarhal, Chairman of the District Planning Committee Satnam Singh Jalalpur, Chairman of the Improvement Trust Nawanshahr Satnam Singh Jalwaha, Chairman of the Market Committee Nawanshahr Gagan Agnihotri, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Rajeev Verma, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Avneet Kaur, SDM Nawanshahr Dr. Akshita Gupta, along with judicial, civil, and police officers, and a large number of other distinguished guests were present.