SAS Nagar, August 15:- The 80th Independence Day was celebrated with patriotic fervour and enthusiasm at the district-level function held at Shaheed Major Harminder Pal Singh Government College, Phase 6, SAS Nagar (Mohali).
Punjab Public Works and Power Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO, who was the Chief Guest, unfurled the National Flag and took the salute from the parade. Deputy Commissioner Smt. Komal Mittal and SSP S. Harmandeep Singh Hans were also present on the occasion.
Extending Independence Day greetings to the people of Punjab and the country, the Chief Guest paid homage to the great martyrs of the freedom struggle. He said that the sacrifices made by Punjabis during the freedom struggle were unparalleled and that it was the collective responsibility of all to build a society in accordance with the dreams of the martyrs.
S. Harbhajan Singh ETO said that the Bhagwant Singh Mann Government is committed to building a prosperous, progressive and ‘Rangla Punjab’ in accordance with the dreams of the freedom fighters. He said the government was continuously working towards this goal through people-centric decisions and development-oriented initiatives to ensure better facilities and equal opportunities for every section of society.
He said that fulfilling its commitment to providing employment to the youth, the state government has provided more than 69,000 government jobs strictly on merit since April 2022. Besides, employment opportunities are also being created for young people through job fairs, skill development programmes and self-employment initiatives.
The Minister said that the Punjab Government was equally committed to the welfare of serving and martyred soldiers and their families. He said that the government had enhanced ex-gratia assistance for the next of kin of martyred soldiers and had also taken several important decisions for the welfare of freedom fighters and their families.
Highlighting the government’s major initiatives in education, health, women empowerment, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, sports and public welfare, he said that the ultimate objective was to make Punjab a leading state in every sector.
He highlighted initiatives including the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna and Aam Aadmi Clinics in the health sector; Punjab Sikhiya Kranti in education; the Mukh Mantri Mawan-Dhiyan Satikar Yojna for women; employment and skill development programmes for youth; and initiatives promoting crop diversification and canal irrigation for farmers.
He said that special efforts were also being made to preserve Punjab’s rich religious and cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations. In this regard, year-long programmes are being organised to commemorate the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji.
Referring to the government’s campaign against drugs and gangsterism, S. Harbhajan Singh ETO said that stringent action was being taken under the ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ and ‘Gangsters Te Vaar’ campaigns to make Punjab free from drugs and gangsterism. He also highlighted the important role being played by the Sadak Surakhya Force in assisting road accident victims and saving precious lives.
The impressive march past was led by DSP Ishan Singla. Police contingents, including male and female personnel, as well as NCC cadets from Government College Mohali and various schools, participated in the parade.
Students from various schools presented patriotic cultural programmes. Tableaux depicting the government’s people-centric schemes and achievements were also presented by different departments. The Mawan-Dhiyan Satikar Yojna tableau secured the first position, followed by the Police Department tableau in second place and the Forest Department tableau in third place.
On the occasion, personalities who had made outstanding contributions and achievements in various fields were felicitated. The district administration also presented a memento to Chief Guest S. Harbhajan Singh ETO.
Before unfurling the National Flag, S. Harbhajan Singh ETO paid floral tribute at the memorial of Shaheed Major Harminder Pal Singh (Shaurya Chakra) located within the college premises.
Families of martyred soldiers were specially honoured on the occasion, including the families of Honorary Captain Harminder Singh, Shaurya Chakra (village Badala); Subedar Surinder Singh (village Naglian); Havildar Sarabjit Singh (village Baltana); Havildar Kashmiri Lal (village Barhmajra); and Lance Naik Gagandeep Singh (village Lalru).
In view of health-related reasons that prevented the district’s only surviving freedom fighter, S. Gurdeep Singh, from attending the function, the district administration visited his residence and felicitated him there.
The District Red Cross Society distributed 10 sewing machines to women in need. The district administration also announced a holiday in schools across the district on Monday.
Among those present at the function were the Minister’s mother Smt. Surinder Kaur and wife Smt. Suhinder Kaur; Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister S. Simrandeep Singh; Mayor S. Sarabjit Singh Samana; Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Megha Dhaliwal; Municipal Corporation Commissioner S. Sundeep Singh Garha; Additional Deputy Commissioners Smt. Sonam Chaudhary, Smt. Geetika Singh and S. Anmol Singh Dhaliwal; SP City S. Dilpreet Singh; SP Headquarters S. Mohit Aggarwal; Chairman, Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, S. Sunny Singh Ahluwalia; Vice Chairman Subhash Sharma; Chairman, Punjab Youth Development Board, S. Parminder Singh Goldy; Chairperson, District Planning Committee, Prabhjot Kaur; Chairman, District Traders Commission, S. Ranjit Pal Singh; besides senior officers of various departments, employees, students and other dignitaries.