Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday gave a clarion call to the Punjabis for resolving to restore the pristine glory of the state by making it a frontrunner one in the country thereby carving out a vibrant and prosperous ‘Rangla Punjab’.
Addressing the gathering after unfurling national tri-colour, during the state level function to mark Independence Day here at local Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium here today, the Chief Minister extended his heartfelt congratulations to all countrymen, especially Punjabis. He also paid respects and reverence to the great Sufi saint Baba Farid Ji on the sacred land of Faridkot. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Baba Farid Ji is considered the first great poet of Punjabi literature as he composed his verses in the language of the common people.
The Chief Minister said that unique and unparalleled role of Punjabis in the Indian Independence struggle hardly needs to be over emphasized. He said that it is on record that more than 80% of the great patriots who laid down their lives or were subjected to British tyranny in one form or another were Punjabis. In fact, Bhagwant Singh Mann most of the movements related to the freedom struggle were spearheaded by the valiant Punjabis for bringing centuries-old British imperialism to an end.
The Chief Minister said that great martyrs and sons of the soil Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Diwan Singh Kalepani, Baba Ram Singh, Sohan Singh Bhakna and several other unsung heroes shed every drop of their blood while pursuing the ultimate goal of Independence. He said that supreme sacrifices made by the great warriors in the various movements of the country’s freedom struggle viz. Kuka, Ghadar, Babbar Akali, Agrarian, Kama Gata Maru episode, Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Liberation of Gurdwaras movement, Jaito morcha and the Parja Mandal movement would ever remain a source of inspiration to inculcate the spirit of patriotism and nationalism amongst our younger generations. But, Bhagwant Singh Mann bemoaned that even when the rest of the country was celebrating Independence, Punjab was going through the horrors of a violent partition in which lakhs of Punjabis lost their lives, were rendered homeless, and many more lost their lands and properties.
The Chief Minister said that even after Independence, Punjabis led the nation from the front whenever India faced any challenge from internal or external aggression. He said that it is a known fact that the hard working and resilient farmers of the state have played a crucial role in making the country self reliant in food production. Bhagwant Singh Mann also proudly eulogized the outstanding contribution of Punjabis in zealously safeguarding and preserving India’s hard-earned independence and ushering in an era of overall development, peace and prosperity.
The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that whenever the sovereignty of our nation has faced any threat from external and internal aggression, the brave Punjabis have relentlessly come forward with great enthusiasm to protect the integrity and honour of the nation. He said that Independence Day being an occasion of joy and celebrations is also a moment for introspection and setting of new goals for faster development of the State. Bhagwant Singh Mann urged people to rededicate themselves to fulfill the dreams of our freedom fighters by ensuring a harmonious and egalitarian society.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed the commitment of his government to strengthen peace and communal harmony in Punjab. He said that the state is fortunate to have got the opportunity to celebrate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that programs dedicated to Guru Sahib Ji’s martyrdom are being organized, and developmental plans are being prepared for towns and villages blessed by his footprints.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has taken historic and bold decisions for the development and progress of Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is working with dedication to fulfill the dreams of our martyrs. He said that the state government has fulfilled many guarantees during the last three and a half years.
Listing the path breaking initiatives taken by the state government, the Chief Minister said that the state government has launched a historic scheme ‘Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna’, under which each family will receive free medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh — whether at a government or private hospital. He said that this scheme will include farmers, traders, government employees, and pensioners with no income limit adding that it will benefit 3 crore people of Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that there are 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics currently running, where 70,000 people get treated daily adding that 200 more clinics will be opened soon.
The Chief Minister said that to provide quality education, government schools are being upgraded to Schools of Eminence and it is a proud moment that Punjab has ranked first in the National Achievement Survey conducted by the Government of India, surpassing even Kerala. He said that 848 government school students have qualified for the NEET exam, 265 students cleared JEE Mains, and 45 cleared JEE Advanced exam. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this year, girls students topped in 8th, 10th, and 12th results and the state government is providing transport facility to ferry students especially girls in government schools.
The Chief Minister said that Principals and teachers are being sent to prestigious institutes in Singapore, Finland, and Ahmedabad for training. He said that 115 government schools have been named after freedom fighters, martyrs, and prominent figures. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that keeping in mind the demand for skill-based education, the number of ITI seats in the state has been increased from 35,000 to 52,000.
Reiterating that Punjab is fighting a full-fledged war against drugs, the Chief Minister profusely thanked all Punjabis for supporting the state government in this noble cause. He said that previous governments patronized drug mafias, causing widespread addiction, adding that his government has launched a crackdown against drugs in the form of Yudh Nasheyan Virudh ‘War Against Drugs’. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the drug supply network has almost been dismantled, drug dealers are being dealt with strictly and bulldozers have razed their properties adding that leaders involved in drug trade have been sent to jail, defense Committees have been formed in towns and villages and youth.
The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that this crusade has been transformed into a mass movement and villages are passing resolutions declaring themselves drug-free. He said that an anti-drone system has been deployed along the 553-km Punjab-Pakistan border adding that Punjab has become the first state to take this initiative. Bhagwant Singh Mann renewed his pledge to eradicate drug menace completely from Punjab adding that an Anti-Gangster Task Force has been formed to eliminate gangsters.
The Chief Minister said that over 55,000 government jobs have been given to the youth in a completely transparent manner and purely on merit. He said that a new Sports Policy (2023) has been implemented to revive Punjab’s sporting glory adding that 13,000 modern stadiums will be built out of which 3,083 are under construction. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that three seasons of “Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan” have been already held and youth are being encouraged to scale new heights in field sports thereby channelizing their energy in a positive direction to wean them away from drugs.
The Chief Minister said that it is a proud moment that Punjabis are today heading Indian contingents of Hockey, Cricket, Basketball and others adding international hockey player Rupinder Singh and shooter Sifat Kaur Samra from Faridkot have made Punjab proud. He said that since July 2022, 90% of households in the state are receiving free electricity resulting in ₹35,000 annual savings per family. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that farmers are receiving uninterrupted power during paddy season along with the other sectors like domestic, industry and others.
The Chief Minister said that to eliminate corruption in tehsils, the state government has introduced revenue reforms by launching e-registration and e-jamabandi services. He further said that since March 2022, the state government has received investment proposals worth ₹1.14 lakh crore, potentially generating 4.5 lakh jobs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 24 sectoral committees have been set up for industrial policy-making adding that big industrialists like Tata Steels and others are making a beeline to invest in the state owing to an industrial friendly atmosphere.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab was leading the country in casualties due to road accidents after which Sadak Surakhya Force was formed in the state. He said that the Road Safety Force (SSF) has significantly reduced road accidents by 48% as per study of Government of India adding that they have provided 144 modern vehicles. Bhagwant Singh Mann to recognize supreme sacrifices by the brave soldiers and cops who sacrificed their lives to protect the unity and integrity of the nation, the state government provides financial assistance of one crore rupees to their families.
The Chief Minister said that in an environment friendly initiative, the process has been initiated by launching a special project to clean over 17,000 ponds in the state. He said that the Punjab Rural Transformation Fellowship has been launched to accelerate the ongoing pace of development in the rural areas. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this scheme will prove to be a revolutionary step in providing a new direction to the development of villages.
The Chief Minister said that under the fellowship scheme, 154 youth will be selected and appointed at the block level. He said that these youth will work alongside BDPOs to formulate and implement development plans for villages and assist in monitoring developmental work. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that for the first time anti-drug syllabus has been introduced in the schools of the state to make students aware against scourge of drugs adding that mega PTMs have been organized in the schools in which 20 lakh parents-students had participated.
The Chief Minister said that every single penny of the state exchequer is being used judiciously for the well being of Punjabis and the development of the state. He said that as a part of anti-drug campaign, for the first time Reward policy has been started in Punjab Police to felicitate the cops performing well in war against drugs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the recruitment and promotions in Punjab Police have been streamlined to enhance the manpower in force.
The Chief Minister said that the Punjab government has launched welfare schemes for all sections of society, especially the underprivileged. He exhorted the people to pledge for realizing the dreams of the brave warriors and martyrs of the freedom struggle. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government has laid special focus on rejuvenation of the canal water system in the state adding that his government has ensured availability of canal water to farmers at the tail ends, who were deprived of this for decades, on one hand and saving the precious ground water on the other.
Earlier, the Chief Minister took the salute during an impressive march past by the contingents of BSF, Punjab Police (men and women), Punjab Armed Police, Punjab Home Guards, Rajasthan Armed Police, NCC, PAP Pipe and Brass Band led by the parade Commander Gazalpreet Kaur IPS.
On the occasion, seven tableaus showcasing achievements in Industrial Promotion, MGNREGA, MARKFED, Dairy Development and Verka, Aam Aadmi Clinics (Health department), Crop Diversification, Khedan Watan Punjab Dian and others also graced the event.
Earlier, a colourful variety programme comprising PT Show, tent pegging, variety program by school students, Giddha, Bhangra and other traditional folk dances performed by the school and college students enthralled the audience.
The Chief Minister also honoured freedom fighter Nihal Singh, their families, Kargil War heroes along with family members of martyr soldiers.
