Badal Cautions Nefarious Designs of Anti-Social Elements Inimical to Peace, Communal Harmony and Brotherhood

By Tricitynews Reporter

Chandigarh 15^th August:- Calling upon the people to take pledge on the solemn occasion of Independence Day, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today appealed them to thwart the nefarious designs of anti-social elements, which were bent upon to jeopardize our hard earned peace, communal harmony and brotherhood.

Addressing a gathering here at Sports Stadium in Government College after unfurling the National Flag during a state level function on the occasion of 70^th Independence Day, the Chief Minister said that a few inimical forces were always envious of peaceful and development oriented congenial atmosphere in the state and thus constantly stoking fire to derail the process of growth and prosperity. He reiterated, “Let us rededicate ourselves to work collectively to build a strong and prosperous Punjab besides cementing the bonds of love, peace and communal harmony thus fulfilling the vision of our great freedom fighters and national heroes.

Eulogizing the immense contribution of Punjabis in the national freedom struggle, the Chief Minister said it was matter of sheer pride and honor that despite the fact that we were just 2.5% of country’s entire population and have made more than 80% sacrifices in getting our motherland free from the yoke of British imperialism. Our brave Punjabi patriots and great warriors, who spearheaded various movements like Babbar Akali, Gadar, Namdhari and Kamagata Maru during the independence struggle were either exiled or executed. Several national heroes who laid down their lives like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh and Kartar Singh Sarabha would ever be remembered for their supreme sacrifices till eternity and act as a beacon to kindle the spirit of patriotism and nationalism amongst our future generations to come.

The Chief Minister bemoaned that we have not yet been able to fulfill the dreams of our national heroes and freedom fighters, which made supreme sacrifices to enable us to breathe freely in the air of freedom even after 69 years of Independence. Maladies like unemployment, illiteracy, poverty and starvation were still rampant in some parts of the country and lot more was needed to be done to improve their lives.

Sharing the agony of Indo-Pak partition after independence, the Chief Minister said that when the rest of country was celebrating independence, Punjab was engaged in another life and death struggle in wake of the partition of country. As many as five lac people were killed and nearly 1.5 crore were uprooted and rendered homeless.

Highlighting the importance of education and health as core sectors responsible for any country’s or state’s development, the Chief Minister said that our government has laid special emphasis on this count. Due to our consistent efforts, we added 13 new universities and 30 more colleges to impart the quality higher education to our youth. Similarly, new initiatives have been undertaken in health sector by providing free treatment to the patients inflicted with Cancer and recently also decided to provide the facility of free treatment to the persons suffering from Hepatitis-C in government hospitals. The Chief Minister said that Punjab was the only state which has taken lead in the country in this direction and now the trend has been reversed resulting in flow of patients from outside Punjab to get them treated in the best Advanced Cancer Institute’s and Hospitals here like Bathinda, Sangrur, Faridkot, Patiala and Amritsar.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that Punjab was the only state in the country which was power surplus and supplying uninterrupted power to the industry, agriculture and domestic sector. Our state has left no stone unturned in taking pro-poor initiatives in terms of launching social security schemes like Atta-Dal, Shagun scheme and now the amount of pensions under various Social Security schemes have been double from Rs.250 to Rs.500 per month. He said that several state-of-the-art monuments were coming up to preserve our glorious cultural heritage including Jang-e-Azadi at Kartarpur (Jalandhar), War Heroes Memorial at Amritsar, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, Amritsar, Guru Ravidass Memorial, Khuralgarh, Baba Jeevan Singh (Bhai Jaita Ji) Memorial at Sri Anandpur Sahib to apprise our younger generations about our rich legacy.

The Chief Minister listed the prestigious projects awarded to Punjab by Government of India like AIIMS, IIM, Horticulture Institute of Development and Research besides declaring heritage status to Amritsar City and Jallianwala Bagh.

Earlier, the Chief Minister took a salute during an impressive march past by the contingents of Punjab Police Recruits Training Centre (PRTC) Jahankhellan, Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, Punjab Armed Police (PAP), Jalandhar, NCC Bharat Scouts and Guides led by the parade Commander Olympian and Arjuna Awardee DSP Punjab Police Rajpal Singh.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister bestowed 32 state level awards on the eminent personalities from different walks of life in recognition with outstanding services rendered by them in different fields. As many as 17 officers and officials from state Police department were honoured with Chief Minister’s Medal for Outstanding Devotion to Duty. Likewise, three Police personnel were awarded Chief Minister’s Rakshak Padak and seven others were honoured with Community Policing Sewa Medal for distinguished services in Police department.

Earlier, a colourful variety programme comprising mass PT show, Giddha, Bhangra and other traditional folk dances enthralled the audience with their scintillating performance.

The Chief Minister also honoured freedom fighters and handed over sewing machines and tricycles to the needy. Parkash Singh Badal also gave away prizes to the School children who participated in various events on the Independence Day celebrations.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included; Member Parliament from Sri Anandpur Sahib Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister SK Sandhu, DGP Suresh Arora, DIG Ropar Range GS Sandhu besides DC Mohali DS Mangat and SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar.