Nawanshahr, January 26: Punjab's Minister for Defence Services Welfare, Freedom Fighters and Horticulture, Mahendra Bhagat hoisted the national flag at the district level function organized at ITI Ground Nawanshahr on the occasion of 76th Republic Day. The Cabinet Minister along with Deputy Rajesh Dhiman, SSP Dr. Mehtab Singh and Parade Commander DSP Shahbaz Singh inspected the parade and took salute from a grand march past. 
On this occasion, he honored the families of freedom fighters, martyred soldiers and personalities who made unique achievements and handed over tricycles and sewing machines to the needy. On this occasion, a magnificent cultural program based on patriotism was presented by school children and there was a bang of Giddha and Bhangra. Tableaux depicting the achievements of various departments were the center of special attraction during the event. 
During this, MLA Banga and Punjab State Container and Warehouse Corporation Chairman Dr. Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi, MLA Balachaur Santosh Kataria and MLA Nawanshahr Nachhatar Pal also specially attended.
During this, Cabinet Minister Mahendra Bhagat, while congratulating the district residents on Republic Day, paid his heartfelt respects to the thousands of patriotic heroes who sacrificed their lives in the long struggle for the country's independence, and also paid homage to the invaluable contribution of Babasaheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. 
He said that the Punjab government is committed to realizing the dreams of the great martyrs. He said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had also taken the oath of office at Khatkar Kalan, the native village of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh. Apart from this, the Punjab government took an important decision and installed the pictures of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Baba Saheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar in the government offices. After playing an important role in naming the Mohali International Airport after Shaheed Bhagat Singh, now the Punjab government has installed a statue of Shaheed-e-Azam there. 
He said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has announced that the state government will construct an 850-meter long heritage street at Khatkar Kalan, the native village of Shaheed-e-Azam, which will show the magnificent contribution of Punjab and Punjabis in the national freedom struggle. He said that the state government is also committed to the welfare of army personnel, families of martyrs and ex-servicemen. 
He said that the state government has increased the ex-gratia amount for the kin of martyred soldiers from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore and Agniveers have also been included in this financial assistance scheme. Arrangements have also been made to provide financial assistance of Rs 1 crore to the families of police personnel who sacrificed their lives for the security of the country. 
He said that the Punjab government has increased the financial assistance given to the righteous soldiers from Rs 10 thousand to Rs 12 thousand per month. The Cabinet Minister said that freedom fighters are our pride and the government has increased the pension available to the freedom fighters or their kin from Rs 9400 to Rs 11 thousand per month. 
He said that there is also a provision for reservation in direct recruitment of the Punjab government for the kin of freedom fighters. He said that the state government also has special focus on crop diversification and the area under horticulture has increased from 4 lakh 39 thousand 210 hectares to 4 lakh 81 thousand 743 hectares. He said that employment, health, education, free electricity and other administrative reforms are the main agenda of the Punjab government and revolutionary work has been done in these areas. 
He said that similarly, the Punjab government has taken special steps to promote sports and tourism, save ground water, promote allied activities of agriculture, manage stubble, support sugarcane farmers, establish libraries in villages, four-pronged development of villages and cities, strengthen road infrastructure, promote industrial sector and create a conducive environment for investment. 
He said that apart from innovative initiatives like Road Safety Force, Angel Scheme, Anti-Corruption Action Line, the Punjab government has taken important steps like resolving the issues of NRI Punjabis online and setting up a facilitation centre at the New Delhi airport. 
He said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is ready to make the state a colorful, laughing and happy Punjab again and continuous efforts are being made in this direction.
During this, the district administration honored the chief guest with a magnificent memento. The chief guest announced to give Rs. 5 lakh from his discretionary fund for the ITI ground. Similarly, he declared a holiday on January 27 in all the schools of the district.