The 79th Independence Day was celebrated with great fervor at a district-level event in Nehru Stadium, Rupnagar, where Finance, Planning, Excise, and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema hoisted the national flag. Following the flag hoisting, Minister Cheema, escorted by Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Walia and Senior Superintendent of Police Gulneet Singh Khurana, inspected the parade. Led by DSP Jashandeep Singh Maan, contingents from the Punjab Police (male and female), Punjab Home Guards, various schools, and a band participated in the march past.
Addressing the gathering, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema extended his greetings to all residents on the occasion of the nation's 79th Independence Day. He paid tribute to the freedom fighters, including Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Sardar Kartar Singh Sarabha, Shaheed Udham Singh, Madan Lal Dhingra, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Diwan Singh Kalepani, whose struggles secured the country's freedom.
He proudly stated that Punjabis have made the most sacrifices in the freedom struggle. Finance Minister Cheema highlighted the state government’s commitment under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to restore Punjab to its former glory. He noted that in honor of the freedom fighters, the Mohali International Airport was named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh, and his statue was installed there.
Furthermore, portraits of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar have been placed in all government offices. He further emphasized the government's significant achievements in education, health, and employment. The Punjab Government has provided more than 55,000 government jobs.
In the National Achievement Survey 2024, Punjab’s education system ranked first, surpassing states like Kerala. This year, 848 government school students qualified for NEET, 265 for JEE (Main), and 45 for JEE (Advanced). In the health sector, Finance Minister Cheema announced revolutionary changes. Currently, 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics are operational, offering 107 types of medicines and 47 lab tests free of cost.
He also announced that a health insurance scheme of up to ₹10 lakh for every family will be implemented from October 2. This scheme, which requires only an Aadhaar and voter card to avail, will cover medical expenses for all citizens of Punjab, regardless of income.
Around 30 million people are expected to benefit from this initiative, which includes impanelment of 552 private and all government hospitals, with plans to add 500 more hospitals soon. Finance Minister Cheema honoured the district's freedom fighters and veterans with shawls, calling them the pride of the nation whose sacrifices allowed citizens to enjoy freedom today.
The event featured a vibrant cultural program with performances including choreography, dances, and gidda by students from various schools. The Sports Department of Rupnagar presented a skit on 'Freedom from Drugs' prepared by Rupnagar's Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Dr. Sanjeev Kumar.
Impressed by the band performance of Shivalik Public School, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced a grant of ₹15 lakh for the school. A play titled "Yudh Nashian Virudh," written by SDM Dr. Sanjeev Kumar and performed by students of Government Senior Secondary School, Phulpur Grewal, was also presented.
Moved by the performance, Minister Cheema led all attendees in an anti-drug pledge and personally contributed ₹21,000 from his salary to the school. The program concluded with the national anthem, performed by the students of Shiwalik Public School.
The event concluded with Finance Minister Cheema honouring individuals who have excelled in various fields, social workers, and district administration officials for their dedicated service with commendation certificates. The ceremony was attended by Rupnagar MLA Advocate Dinesh Chadha, Sri Chamkaur Sahib MLA Dr. Charanjit Singh, Rupnagar Range Commissioner Gurpreet Kaur Sapra, and a host of other dignitaries and officials.