Chandigarh, September 14:- Resolving never to let the sacrifices of its brave heroes fade from public memory, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today dedicated the 200-foot-wide HR-2 Road and a park in New Chandigarh to Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh (Kirti Chakra), who sacrificed his life while defending the country in Anantnag. The Chief Minister said, "Our martyrs are our pride and our wealth, and the Punjab Government will always stand firmly with their families." He reiterated that the government was leaving no stone unturned for the welfare of armed forces personnel and their families.
In a post on X, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "I pay heartfelt tribute to the great warrior Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh (Kirti Chakra) on his martyrdom day, who drank the cup of martyrdom while defending the country in Anantnag. As a mark of respect for this braveheart, today we have named the road from Mundhopur Chowk to the T-Point as 'Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh Marg' and the park in Sector 5-A as 'Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh Park'. The unique sacrifice of this brave son of village Bharaunjia will always inspire our younger generation. Our martyrs are our pride and our wealth, and the Punjab Government will always stand with their families. Inquilab Zindabad."
After dedicating the road and park in the name of Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, while speaking to journalists, paid a warm tribute to the martyr and said, "On this occasion, the state government remembers the sacrifice made by this brave warrior for the country. This braveheart made the supreme sacrifice while defending the motherland and fighting the enemy."
The Chief Minister said, "In his memory, the state government has named the 200-foot-wide road from Mullapur Chowk to the T-Point as 'Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh Marg'."
He said, "Similarly, the park in Sector 5-A Block has been named 'Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh Park' as a tribute to his memory and sacrifice. By naming these public places after this brave son of Punjab, especially the son of village Bharaunjia, the state government has paid tribute to his great sacrifice."
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed hope that this initiative would inspire the youth of Punjab towards selfless service to the nation. He said, "I hope that this will inspire the youth of Punjab to serve the country selflessly in the times to come. The bravery, leadership and sacrifice of Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh will always continue to inspire us."
Recalling the martyr's service record, he said, "Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh was martyred on September 13, 2023, while serving as the Commanding Officer of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles Regiment. Colonel Manpreet Singh displayed exceptional courage during an encounter with terrorists in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir and laid down his life in the service of the nation."
Referring to the honour bestowed upon the martyr, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "In recognition of his unparalleled bravery and great sacrifice, the Government of India posthumously conferred upon him the 'Kirti Chakra', the country's second-highest peacetime gallantry award, on August 15, 2024."
The Chief Minister said, "Colonel Manpreet Singh was born in 1982 in village Bharaunjia and received his primary and higher education in Mohali and Chandigarh." He further said, "Following in the footsteps of his father, he joined the Indian Army as a commissioned officer in 2005."
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "His life of bravery, dedication and selfless service to the nation will always remain a source of inspiration for generations to come. The state government is committed to keeping the legacy of this brave son alive."
Highlighting the government's commitment towards the families of soldiers who make the supreme sacrifice, he said, "While paying respect to the unparalleled contribution of the armed forces, paramilitary forces, police and Agniveers in protecting the unity and integrity of the country, the state government provides financial assistance of one crore rupees to the family of a soldier who attains martyrdom while on duty."
He said, "This is in accordance with the state government's commitment to ensuring the welfare of personnel of the armed forces, paramilitary forces and police, as well as their families."
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, "This humble initiative of the government will play an important role on the one hand in helping the bereaved family and on the other hand in securing their future."
Replying to another question, the Chief Minister said, "The Punjab Government has laid special emphasis on the development of the education sector in the state."
He said, "Due to the collective efforts of the state government, a major improvement has been seen in the infrastructure of government schools."
Referring to the achievements of students of government schools, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "Today, students of government schools in the state are excelling in JEE, NEET and other important examinations, which is a matter of satisfaction for us."
On the occasion, Lok Sabha Member Shri Malvinder Singh Kang, Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh's wife Smt. Jagmeet Grewal, mother Smt. Manjit Kaur, son Kabir Singh and daughter Bani Kaur, Punjab Youth Development Board Chairman Shri Parminder Singh Goldy, among other dignitaries, were also present.