PATIALA: The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday vowed to crush the forces inimical to the state and foil their conspiracies for disturbing peace, communal harmony, brotherhood and amity of Punjab. Addressing the gathering after unfurling the national tricolor flag during a function to commemorate 76th Republic Day in local Polo Ground, the Chief Minister said that Punjab is the land of the gurus, saints, seers, martyrs and has always been a torch bearer to mankind for values of brotherhood and communal harmony. He said that maintaining the hard earned peace in the state is the first and foremost priority for his government adding that no one will be allowed to disturb it.
Bhagwant Singh Mann solicited fulsome support and cooperation of the people for this noble cause thereby foiling any conspiracy to derail peace, progress and prosperity of the state. The Chief Minister warned the fissiparous forces that their evil designs to create communal strife would be nipped in the bud. He said that the social bonding in the state is so strong that any seed could grow on the fertile land of Punjab but the seed of hatred will never germinate here at any cost.
Bhagwant Singh Mann said that though futile attempts are being made to disturb hard earned peace of state, the bond of love, harmony and peace will be further cemented by Punjabis. The Chief Minister said that on this day in 1950 India became a Sovereign, Socialist, Democratic and Secular Republic as the Constitution, drafted by our forefathers led by Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr BR Ambedkar, came into effect on this auspicious day.
The Chief Minister said that despite our limited natural resources the farmers of the state have put their sweat and toil to make the country self-reliant in food production, that too at the cost of overexploitation of the only available natural resources of the state. He reminded that at the time of independence when the entire country was rejoicing Punjab being the border State suffered the brunt of partition. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab went 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 recognizing the immense contribution of jawans of Armed forces, Paramilitary forces, Police and even Agnivirs in safeguarding unity and integrity of the country, the state government gives financial assistance worth Rs 1 crore to the family in case the jawans attain martyrdom in line of duty. He said that this financial assistance is given as a mark of respect for the supreme sacrifice made by the hero for the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this humble initiative of the state government is in recognition of the immense contribution of this son of soil towards preserving the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected the parade led by parade commander Vaneet Ahlawat, IPS. He also took a salute from an impressive march past by contingents of Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, Punjab Police, ITBP, NCC Girls and Boys, Red Cross besides the Punjab Police Brass band. On the occasion, the students of various local schools presented a colorful variety program imbued in patriotic fervor including Bhangra, Gidha, Group Dance, PT show and group singing. The Chief Minister also felicitated Freedom fighters and their kin in recognition of their valuable contribution in the freedom struggle of the country. He also gave away tricycles to the physically challenged and sewing machines to the poor and needy women. A series of Tableaux depicting the overall development of the state, especially the district administration was also the star of attraction.
MP Dr Dharmvira Gandhi, MLAs Ajitpal Singh Kohli, Chetan Singh Jouramajra, Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, Gurlal Ghanour, Kulwant Singh Bazigar and Gurdev Singh Dev Mann, Baltej Pannu, Mayor Kundan Gogia, Senior Deputy Mayor Harinder Kohli and Deputy Mayor Jagdeep Singh Jagga, Megh Chand Shermajra, Tejinder Mehta, Special Principal Secretary of CM Kumar Amit, ADGP SPS Parmar, Divisional Commissioner DS Mangat, DIG Mandeep Singh Sidhu, Session Judge Rupinderjit Chahal, Deputy Commissioner Dr Preeti Yadav, SSP Dr Nanak Singh, CA PDA Manisha Rana, MC Commissioner Dr Rajat Obrai, ADCs Isha Singal, Anuprita Johal & Navreet Kaur Sekhon, Joint Commissioner MC Babandeep Singh Walia, Deepjot Kaur, RTO Naman Markan, SDM Gurdev Singh Dham, Assistant Commissioner Richa Goyal, CMFO Dr Navjot Sharma and other senior officials and personalities were present on the occasion.