Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian Pays Tribute to Martyrs at Gurdwara Saragarhi Sahib

Firozpur, September 12:- The Battle of Saragarhi is an unparalleled story of sacrifice, an example of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. On September 12, 1897, while defending the Saragarhi Fort, 21 brave soldiers of the Sikh Regiment fought 10,000 Afghans with great valour, laid down their lives and created a new chapter of bravery, honour and sacrifice in history that will always remain a source of inspiration for generations to come. This was stated by Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development and Food Processing Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khuddian after paying tribute to the great martyrs of the Battle of Saragarhi at a state-level function organised by the Punjab Government in memory of the martyrs at Gurdwara Saragarhi on the occasion of Saragarhi Day.
On this occasion, Firozpur Urban MLA S. Ranbir Singh Bhullar, Firozpur Rural MLA Shri Rajnish Dahiya, Guruharsahai MLA S. Fauja Singh Sarari and Zira MLA Shri Naresh Kataria also paid tributes to the martyrs.
Addressing the gathering that had assembled to pay tributes to the martyrs after the bhog of Akhand Path Sahib held in their memory at Gurdwara Saragarhi Sahib here today, Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian said that under the able leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is undertaking large-scale efforts to connect the residents of the state, especially the younger generation, with their proud, historic and glorious heritage. He said that such an example of bravery and valour cannot be found anywhere in the world.
He said that, due to the efforts of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the world's first war memorial has been built in Firozpur in memory of the Battle of Saragarhi, paying homage to these martyrs, as most of the soldiers who were martyred in this battle were associated with Firozpur. This Saragarhi War Memorial is dedicated to the honour, dignity and sacrifice of those Sikh warriors who were martyred in the battle between 21 brave Sikh soldiers of the 36th Sikh Regiment and 10,000 Afghan tribesmen while defending the Saragarhi Fort in Waziristan, Afghanistan. These brave warriors of the Sikh Regiment fought the enemy for a long time even after their ammunition had run out and laid down their lives. These brave soldiers proved the great words of the Tenth Patshah, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, "Sava lakh se ek larhaun tabai Gobind Singh naam kahaun." He said that according to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), this battle is one of the eight most important battles in the world, in which the martyred soldiers were honoured with the "Indian Order of Merit" (the highest medal). The younger generation should draw inspiration from the martyrs of Saragarhi for dedication to the nation, discipline, courage and loyalty to their duty.
On this occasion, Cabinet Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khuddian honoured the family members of the soldiers martyred in the battle by presenting them with mementoes.
Thereafter, Firozpur Urban MLA S. Ranbir Singh Bhullar thanked the chief guest and the Sangat attending the function.
On this occasion, Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma, SSP Bhupinder Singh Sidhu, Additional Deputy Commissioner (G) Dr. Amandeep Kaur, SDM Firozpur Abhishek Sharma, Himanshu IAS (UT), District President of Aam Aadmi Party Harjinder Singh Ghaanga, Chairman Punjab BC Commission Dr. Malkit Singh Thind, Dr. Amandeep Kaur Gosal Bhullar, Halqa Coordinator, Nasha Mukti Morcha, Bhupinder Kaur, Senior Vice President, Mahila Wing, Aam Aadmi Party, along with Indian Army officers GOC Major General Ranjit Singh Manral, Deputy GOC Brigadier Y.S. Sajwan and other dignitaries, as well as a large number of people present, paid tributes to the martyrs.