Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the people to take a solemn pledge on this historic day to make Punjab a vibrant and progressive state in the country, free from the maladies of unemployment, poverty and illiteracy besides the curse of drugs, to cherish the aspirations of our countless patriots and freedom fighters who made supreme sacrifices to free our motherland from the yoke of British imperialism.Addressing the mammoth gathering after unfurling the National Flag at the state level function to mark 68th Independence Day here at Yadwindra School Ground, the Chief Minister said that on this auspicious day, India became a sovereign and democratic nation after emancipation from the clutches of British rule adding that every year this august day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and gaiety. Recalling the unparalleled and unique sacrifices made by Punjabis in the national freedom struggle, he mentioned that 80% sacrifices had been made by Punjabis alone at the altar of their motherland despite the fact they merely constituted two percent of country’s population. Mr. Badal further said that it was also a matter of sheer pride and honor for us that all the watershed movements associated with the country’s freedom struggle like Kuka, Ghadar, Kamagata Maru, Agrarian, Gurdwara Reforms and Babbar Akali were spear headed by the brave Punjabis from this sacred land.
The Chief Minister said that the rich legacy of unprecedented sacrifices made by martyrs would ever act as a light house to guide the destiny of our future generations. He said that the first Indian to lay down his life to free our country was also a Punjabi - Bhai Maharaj Singh and then followed a long string embedded with heroic gems like Baba Ram Singh, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Diwan Singh Kalepani and several others who shed every drop of their blood to achieve the ultimate goal of Independence. Mr. Badal said that the valiant Punjabis had inherited the spirit of self sacrifice and patriotism from Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, Sri Guru Arjun Dev ji, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji and Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji, who had waged a relentless battle against injustice, tyranny and oppression to safeguard the human rights of the innocent and helpless people.
Reiterating the firm commitment of state government to perpetuate the rich legacy of Punjabis in the national freedom struggle, the Chief Minister said that the state government was constructing a world class ‘Jang-e-Azaadi’ memorial near Jalandhar at a cost of Rs 200 crore to show case their unparalleled contribution. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that state-of-the-art War Heroes' Memorial cum Museum was being constructed at Amritsar over seven acres of land on the Amritsar-Attari Road, to recognize and showcase the supreme sacrifices made by the Punjabi soldiers while serving in the Armed forces thereby upholding their supreme gallantry values. However, the Chief Minister said that even when the rest of the country was celebrating Independence, Punjab was grappled with another life and death struggle in the wake of partition of the country in which millions of Punjabis were uprooted, lost their lives and several others were deprived of their valuable land and property and were rendered homeless.
The Chief Minister said that even this did not deter the Punjabis from serving their motherland and later the Punjabis led the nation from the front in all the wars thrust upon this country. He said that whenever India faced any challenge from internal or external aggression, the brave Punjabis have always safeguarded the integrity and honor of the country from the forefront. Mr. Badal said that exemplary and pro-active role of Punjabi soldiers in Indo-Pak wars in 1965 and 1971 besides hostilities in Kargil, counter insurgency operations in Kashmir and other parts of India would ever be remembered by one and all and continue to inspire the future generations to imbibe a sense of patriotism and nationalism.
The Chief Minister further said that it was a well known fact that the hard working and resilient farmers of the state had played a crucial role in making the country self reliant in the food production. He said that the hard working farmers of Punjab had exploited the only available natural resources of the state in terms of fertile soil and water to feed the nation, a tradition which has been successfully carried from 1960s till now. Mr. Badal said that despite of the vagaries of weather the contribution of the state in national food pool has always been on the top.
On the solemn occasion, the Chief Minister exhorted the people to rededicate themselves to make Punjab an ideal state, which was free from the social maladies like poverty, illiteracy, corruption and others besides renewing our pledge to eradicate the menace of drugs from the state. He said that the state government was continuing its battle against social evils and have demonstrated our firm commitment to make Punjab a healthy and drug Free State adding that this was making encouraging progress with total support and cooperation of the residents of state. Mr. Badal said that a progressive, healthy and drug free Punjab would certainly be an outcome of people’s active participation coupled with their unflinching trust in the state administration.Complimenting the valiant Punjabis across the state for maintaining peace and communal harmony despite its geographical boundaries in close proximity with Indo-Pak border on one side and Jammu & Kashmir on the other where, violent activities were the order of the day, the Chief Minister said that Punjab was the most peaceful state in the country where the peace loving people always strongly believed in the ethos of brotherhood, amity and national integration.
Earlier, the Chief Minister, accompanied by DGP Mr. Sumedh Saini and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Varun Roojam, inspected the parade led by Parade Commander DSP Mr. Akashdeep Singh Aulakh and Assistant Parade Commander DSP Mr. Jaskirat Singh Ahir and took a salute during an impressive march past by the contingents of ITBP, Punjab Armed Police, Punjab Home Guards, NCC Cadets besides the Punjab Police band. A colorful variety program including Bhangra, Gidha and group dance presented by the students of various local schools and colleges regaled the audience. Motor Cycle show by the brave hearts of Punjab Police and Horse Riding especially the tent pegging was a main star attraction.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister honored the freedom fighters and their next of kin, in recognition to their enormous contribution in the country’s freedom struggle, with a shawl. During the function, the Chief Minister also honored 16 eminent personalities from different walks of life for making outstanding contribution in different fields with a citation, medal and cash award of Rs 11000. The recipients of the state awards included Professor of Psychiatry PGI Dr. Ajit Kumar Awasthi, Mr. Surinder Kochar, Mr. Sanjiv Nagpal, Mr. Surinder Kumar Ahuja, Mr. Shivkaran Singh, Mr. Sukhdev Singh, former Director PGI and Advisor to Government of Punjab Dr. KK Talwar, Chairman Punjab State Farmer’ Commission Dr. GS Kalkatt, former Director PGI Dr. Jaswant Singh Neki, Mr. Devinder Singh, Associate Professor of Psychiatry PGI Dr. D Basu, Dr PS Bakshi, Mr. Bhagwant Singh, Director Tata Memorial Center Dr. RA Badve, Mr. Rajpal Singh Gandhi and Mr. Ranjeet Singh.
The Chief Minister also honored Mrs. Tejinder Kaur, the widow Patiala Central Jail’s Warden constable Raghuvir Singh, with gallantry award, who was killed while performing his duty. Apart from this, the Chief Minister also honored seven Police officers/ officials with Community Policing Awards for rendering superb services. The recipients of this award included DGP Mr. SK Sharma, IGP Mr. Ishwar Singh, DIG Mr. SK Verma, Inspector Mr. Paramveer Singh, ASI Mr. Darbara Singh, Head Constable Mr. Bal Krishan and Constable Ms. Sukhminder Kaur. The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Principal Secretary Mr. SK Sandhu and Commissioner Patiala pision Mr. Ajit Singh Pannu. The function was enthusiastically attended by the senior officers of district civil and police administration besides prominent personalities from different walks of the life.