Badal seeks people's cooperation to make Punjab as a front runner state

by Punjabewswire4u (Balbir)

 AMRITSAR, AUG 15

         The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal,  today called upon the people of Punjab to strive hard for emerging Punjab as a front runner state in the country on one hand and further strengthen the bonds of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood to ensure all round development and prosperity in the state. 

            Addressing at the 65^th Independence Day during the state level function after unfurling the National flag, Mr. Badal said that brave Punjabis have always displayed their indomitable spirit to maintain peace, amity and communal harmony at all costs  even in the trying circumstances and hoped that such ethos of secularism, national integration and universal brotherhood would be all pervasive in future too.  

            Highlighting the unique role of Punjabis in the Indian freedom struggle, Mr. Badal pointed out that more than 80% sacrifices have been made by them in the national freedom struggle despite the fact Punjabis merely constituted two-and-a-half percent of country’s population. He said: "Punjabis have a prominent place and we are proud of their brave and unparalleled contribution.  The great martyrs from Punjab Shaheed Udham Singh, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Kartar Singh Sarabha and Lala Lajpat Rai and numerous others laid down their lives for the nation's freedom and inspired the complete generation with the values of patriotism and nationalism".  Even all the prominent movements associated with the country’s freedom struggle like Kuka, Gaddar, Kamagata Maru, Pagri Sambal Jatta and Babbar Akali were also spear headed by the valiant Punjabis. 

The Chief Minister also mentioned that the brave Punjabis had
always inherited the spirit of self sacrifice, patriotism from Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji, Sri Guru Teg Bahadar ji and Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji, who waged a relentless battle against the atrocities and terror unleashed by the mughal emperors to safeguard the human rights in order to protect the innocent and hapless people from their tyranny.

             The Chief Minister further said that Punjabis have not only played a vanguard role in the freedom struggle but also made an outstanding contribution in maintaining the hard earned freedom by guarding its borders and ushering in an era of overall development and prosperity thereby making our country self-reliant in the food production by contributing more than 60% in the Central Pool.  Therefore, Mr. Badal remarked Punjab rightly deserved to be acclaimed as ‘sword arm’ and the ‘granary’ of the country.

The Chief Minister rued that the aspirations of our freedom fighters who made sacrifices to free our motherland from the yoke of British imperialism had not been cherished so far because they dreamt of an Independent India free from the maladies of poverty, illiteracy, starvation, corruption and  unemployment and still after 64 years of freedom we have not been able to provide them with the basic amenities to lead a quality life.   He lamented probably India was the only country in the world which has the highest number of poor.  As per an economic survey 70% of our population live in penury and merely earn Rs.20 daily.  

Blaming the Centre for its arbitrary policies deliberately formulated to thrust upon the states, Mr. Badal emphasized the need for a true federalism as in Canada and USA with a sole objective to ensure fairand equitable distribution of sources of revenue amongst the Centre and the States.  He said that now the states have been virtually reduced as beggars which have to look upon the Centre for their petty demands. 

Realizing the importance of education and health as a core sectors to trigger the pace of overall development and prosperity in any state or nation, Mr. Badal said that the state government had added 7 new universities and 17 degree colleges in addition to three universities and 55 colleges earlier in just four-and-a-half year besides recruitment of 54000 school teachers to ensure quality education to our youth.  Likewise, the entire medical infrastructure and equipment have been upgraded in all the state hospitals, community and primary health centres to provide the best medical treatment and diagnostic facilities.      

Braving the inclement whether and heavy down pour thousands of people especially the school children converged here at the Gandhi Ground to participate in the Independence Day celebrations.   After unfurling the National Tri-color, Mr. Badal took salute from an impressive parade comprising PAP, Punjab Police and Police Band contingents led by the Parade Commander Mr. Bikrampal Singh Bhatti.

On the occasion, Mr. Badal presented State Level Awards comprising of a Memento, Commendation certificate, Shawl and cash award to 37 prominent personalities for their outstanding contribution in different fields.  Mr. Badal also honoured the freedom fighters and their family members besides 29 eminent personalities from different walks of life across the Amritsar district.  

A colourful variety program presented by the school children regaled the audience.  Martial sport Gattaka and Karate performance by the tiny tots was the star attraction of the program. 

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Director General of Police Mr. PS Gill, MP from Amritsar Mr. Navjot Sidhu, Commissioner Police Amritsar Mr. RP Mittal, Divisional Commissioner Jalandhar Mr. Anurag Verma, Mayor Amritsar Mr. Shewet Malik, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Rajat Aggarwal and SSP Mr. Gurmeet Singh Chauhan.  Besides several prominent local leaders including MLAs and chairmen of various boards and corporations also attended the function.