Punjab Irrigation Minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon said that the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janta Party government is committed for preserving the legacy of freedom fighters and our martyrs, due to whose sacrifices we are living in a free society. Dhillon said this while attending the state level function organised on the 109th birth anniversary of Shaheed Sukhdev, at Guru Nanak Dev Bhawan, here today. Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon said that Shaheed Sukhdev was a famous Indian revolutionary who played a major role in the India's struggle for Independence.While speaking on the occasion, the Irrigation Minister said that Shaheed Sukhdev is amongst those great Indian freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of their country. His full name is Sukhdev Thapar and he was born on 15th May, 1907 at his ancestral house in Naughara Mohalla of Ludhiana city.
Since his childhood days, Shaheed Sukhdev had witnessed the brutal atrocities that the Imperial British Raj had inflicted on India, which then led him to join the revolutionaries, vowing to set India free from the shackles of British dominion. Shaheed Sukhdev was a member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), and organised revolutionary cells in Punjab and other areas of India. A devoted leader, he even went on to educate the youth at the National College in Lahore, greatly inspiring them about India's glorious past. He along with other renowned revolutionaries started the 'Naujawan Bharat Sabha' at Lahore that was an organisation involved in various activities, mainly gearing the youth for the freedom struggle and putting an end to communalism.
Sharanjit Singh Dhillon called upon the people to come forward and eradicate social evils like corruption, drug abuse, female foeticide and illiteracy from society, which would be the "real tribute to the country's martyrs and fulfill their dreams. Paying tribute to Shaheed Sukhdev, Mr Dhillon said: "Our government has started to celebrate the days associated with the martyrs, so that our young generation can seek inspiration from them. These functions are organised to promote national integration and instill patriotism among the people. The families of the martyrs are a treasure to the country and we must pay proper respect to them."
Dr Hardeep Singh, who presented a brief note on Shaheed Sukhdev said that he was the associate of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Shaheed Rajguru. He said that it was on 23rd March, 1931 that the three brave revolutionaries, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged. He said that Shaheed Sukhdev was just 24 years old when he became a martyr for his country, however, he will always be remembered for his courage, patriotism and sacrifice of his life for India's independence.
Students from RS Model Senior Secondary School and Government Senior Secondary School, Bharat Nagar also performed songs of national integration on the occasion.Mr Navraj Singh Brar, Assistant Commissioner (Grievances) proposed a vote of thanks on behalf of the district administration. Prominent among those present on the occasion included Mayor Mr Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria, SDM Mr Kuljit Pal Singh Mahi, former MP Mr Sukhdev Singh Libra, former minister Mr Ishar Singh Meharban, BJP district president Mr Parveen Bansal, family members of Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar, freedom fighters, besides several others.