Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday recalled the stellar role played by the Punjabis in attaining the freedom of the country and then carving out the modern day Indian Republic by preserving its unity, integrity and sovereignty through countless sacrifices.
Addressing the gathering after unfurling the national tri-color in a function to mark 75th Republic Day, the Chief Minister said that this day assumes a lot of significance for us because Punjabis had brought it after enormous sacrifices. He said that during the pre-independence period many January 26 had passed but no one was allowed to unfurl the national flag. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now only we have the right to celebrate this day but it is unfortunate that the tableau of state was deliberately kept out of the Republic Day parade.
The Chief Minister said that it is surprising how national festivals can be celebrated without Punjab adding that those who had deliberately kept Punjab’s tableau out of the parade must tell what is wrong in them. He said that the rich culture and heritage of the state has been duly showcased in the tableaus made by the state government because we can’t compromise with the pride of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the mockery of the supreme sacrifices made by the Punjabis, by the Union government, is intolerable and unwarranted due to which the state has vehemently raised this issue.
The Chief Minister said that the Union government has insulted the great martyrs including Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Mai Bhago, Ghadri Baabe and others by rejecting the tableau of the state. He said that the union government has belittled their contribution and sacrifice of these heroes by not including their tableaus in the Republic Day parade. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this cannot be tolerated as it is the grave insult of these great patriots and national leaders adding that the state government has now duly showcased this immense contribution in tableaus across the state.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has decided to name the upcoming International Airport at Indian Air force Station Halwara, Ludhiana as Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha International Airport. He said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government, the Mohali International Airport has already been named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh adding that naming of Halwara airport after Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha will be a humble tribute to the martyr. He further said that naming the airports, universities and other institutions in the name of these iconic martyrs is important to perpetuate their glorious legacy.
Striking an emotional note with the people, the Chief Minister urged them to end gender discrimination amongst boys and girls. He said that this is the need of hour to give wings to the girls for excelling in each and every field thereby enabling them to script new success stories. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the girls of the state are very brave and they can achieve any goal if they are given a chance.
The Chief Minister further said that Punjab produces 182 lakh Metric Ton of paddy by over exploiting its only available natural resources in terms of water and fertile soil. He said that then only the country has been made self-reliant in terms of food production due to which it has emerged as a strong nation across the globe. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann bemoaned that conspiracies are being hatched to deprive the farmers of the state from the Minimum Support Price (MSP), which is discriminatory and pathetic.
However, the Chief Minister said that Punjab was a frontrunner and Punjab will always continue to be that as Punjabis have been blessed with indomitable spirit of hard work and resilience. He said that the state government is performing its duty meticulously and zealously to ensure that Punjab leads the country in every sphere. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he is not worried for the next elections but he is working for the welfare of the next generation, due to which several path breaking initiatives have been taken.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is making concerted efforts for the welfare of the youth of the state. He said that the focus of his government is to ensure that youth become job givers instead of job seekers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is the need of hour to carve out a progressive and prosperous Punjab.
The Chief Minister said that during previous regimes the youth were deprived of jobs and education so that they make a beeline behind the political leaders. He said that this culture is being abandoned so that youth become an integral part of the progress and prosperity of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the day is not far when due to strenuous efforts of the state government, the pristine glory of Punjab is restored.
The Chief Minister said that due to all out efforts of the state government for the first time in the last 75 years canal water has reached at the tail end of the last field in the state. He said that the state government is duty bound for this noble cause so that farmers of the state are immensely benefitted from it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said already due to strenuous efforts of the state government water has reached the far flung areas of Punjab.
The Chief Minister said that to impart quality health services to people, the state government has set up Aam Aadmi Clinics in Punjab. He said that around 97 lakh people have so far availed the facilities of free healthcare in these clinics. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is a new revolution in the healthcare sector adding that efforts are afoot to give a facelift to this sector.
The Chief Minister further said that massive efforts are being made to impart quality education to the students. He said that the state government has established the first of its kind School of Eminence in the state and during the first year 8358 students have been enrolled in it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that an amount of Rs 200 crores has been earmarked for developing school infrastructure and sports facilities, besides providing free uniforms to students.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is committed to make Punjab a frontrunner state in the industrial sector. He said that due to concerted efforts of the state government investments worth Rs 65,000 crore has been firmed up in the state which will provide 2.98 lakh jobs to youth. Bhagwant Singh said that this will give further push to the economic development of the state by putting it on the path of high growth trajectory.
The Chief Minister said that to check the fatality rate due to road accidents in the state on one hand and to streamline the movement of traffic on the roads of the state on the other, the state government will launch Sadak Surakhya Force on January 27 from Jalandhar. He said that the first of its kind specialized force will act as a pivotal to save several precious lives that are lost in road accidents daily in Punjab and this force will be entrusted with the task of checking rash driving, streamlining vehicular movement on roads and others to check the road accidents. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that initially 129 vehicles equipped with ultra modern gadgets will be deployed after every 30 kilometres to man the roads and these vehicles will also have a complete medical kit for providing emergency treatment to any person in need.
The Chief Minister further said that the state government has given jobs to around 40,000 jobs to youth merely in 19 months and on an average the state government has given jobs to 23,432 youth in one year, which is a record in itself. He said that all the jobs have been given completely on the basis of merit by adopting a complete transparent process. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a matter of great pride that more than 50% of the jobs are bagged by the girls which are becoming active partners in the socio-economic progress of the state.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab has created history by purchasing Goindwal power plant owned by a private company GVK Power adding that it is named after the third Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Amar Dass ji. He said that for the first time this reverse trend has started that the government has purchased any private power plant whereas in the past the state governments used to sell their assets to the favorite individuals at ‘throw away’ prices. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that 90% consumers in the state are getting zero power bill due to pro-people decisions of the state government.
The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride that pran pratishta of Sri Ram temple had taken place at Ayodhya adding that everyone should go at that place to pay obeisance. He said that Punjab is epitome of secularism and communal harmony across the country as since ages people from all sections are residing here peacefully. Bhagwant Singh Mann though Ramzan is considered as a festival of muslim brethren but it is made up of two words Ram and zan which means it has the name of Ram too.
Similarly, the Chief Minister said that Diwali- a festival of Hindu community too has the word ‘Ali’ in it which symbolizes communal harmony. Taking a jibe over parties towing communal agenda, he said that Aam Aadmi Party does not believe in divisive politics rather it works on principle of the welfare of all through ‘Politics of work’. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is the foundation of a society and country based on principles of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood.
The Chief Minister said that to facilitate the people for undertaking a visit to the pilgrimage site of their choice, the state government has started Mukh Mantri Teerth Yatra Scheme. He said that this ambitious scheme is benefitting every strata of society in a big way as they can travel to the pilgrimage sites free of cost. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is an unprecedented scheme which has been embarked for the first time in the country by any state adding that though initially the Railways was trying to create hiccups in it but now the matter has been streamlined.
The Chief Minister called upon the people to come forward for carving out a Punjab of the dreams of our great Gurus, Saints, Seers, Martyrs and Heroes. He said that Punjab had ever remained an oasis of peace and communal harmony in the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann called upon the brave and patriotic people of Punjab to rededicate themselves to the goals of a prosperous Punjab in which maladies like poverty, illiteracy and unemployment have no place.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected the parade led by parade commander Akarshi Jain, IPS. He also took a salute from an impressive march past by contingents of Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, Punjab Armed Police, NCC Girls and Boys, Bharat Scouts and Guides besides the Punjab Police Brass band. On the occasion, the students of various local schools presented a colorful variety program including Bhangra, Gidha, Group Dance, PT show and group singing.
The Chief Minister also felicitated Freedom fighters and their kin in recognition of their valuable contribution in the freedom struggle of the country.