Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the people of Punjab to work in accordance with the State government and play a proactive role in strengthening the Punjab’s spirit of communal harmony and progress to teach an appropriate lesson to all the anti-Punjab forces deliberately trying to disrupt the Unity, peace and progress in the state.The Chief Minister was addressing the mammoth gathering here today during a state level function organised to commemorate the Martyrdom Day of Shaheed Master Karnail Singh Issru, the first Punjabi Martyr of ‘Goa Liberation Movement’ and Shaheed Bhupinder Singh Issru, who had sacrificed his life for the welfare of the peasantry.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Badal categorically said that be it the Pre-independence era or the post-independence, the Punjab had always strived hard to protect the honour and dignity of India at all fronts, but unfortunately certain anti-Punjab forces had always tried to defame its glory by creating misconceptions about the peace loving and brave Punjabis. Talking about the patriotic spirit of Punjab, Mr. Badal said that every body was fully familiar with the fact that 80% sacrifices had been made by the Punjabis during the National Independence struggle but even after 67 years of Independence the dreams of our martyrs to set up a healthy society, free from all ailments like poverty, unemployment, illiteracy etc. were yet to be realised. Although for the welfare of the state and its people the state government had worked relentlessly with dedication and devotion and achieved many goals in the fields of Education, Health care, Infrastructure but still lot of efforts were yet to be down. Expressing a great hope with the change of guard at the centre, he said that under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, the country in journal and Punjab in particular would soon begin its new journey on the path of progress and development by overcoming all the hurdles to reach at the top of its glory.
Badal said that to inspire our future generations and inculcate the values of patriotism and nationalism in them, their government had initiated an ambitious programme to construct a world class Jang-e-Azadi Memorial over an area of 25 acre at a cost of Rs.200 crore at Kartarpur near Jalandhar, which would demonstrate the rich legacy and enormous contribution of Punjabis in the Indian freedom struggle.
Paying homage to the great martyrs, Senior SAD Leader and Former Minister Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, said that under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal the state government was fully committed to bring multifaceted development in the state to re-establish Punjab as a front runner state of the country. On behalf of the people of the state, he also expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for his special concern and efforts to ensure peace and development in the state. Earlier, Mr. Badal along with other senior leaders paid floral tributes at the statue of Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru.
Prominent amongst who spoke on this occasion included, Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mr. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Senior Akali Leader and Former Union Minister Mr. Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, Area In-charge SAD Khana Ranjit Singh Talwandi, Jathedar Santa Singh Umedpur, President SAD Youth Wing Ludhiana Rural Mr. Yadwinder Singh Yadoo and District President BJP Ludhiana Rural Mr. Bikram Singh Cheema besides other senior leaders of SAD and BJP.