Punjab Newsline,Chandigarh:
Grand felicitation ceremony held at ancestral village Petwar; education described as the strongest foundation for the nation’s progress
A grand felicitation ceremony was organized in honor of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Justice Suryakant, at his ancestral village Petwar in Hansi. On his arrival in the village, the Chief Justice was given a warm and enthusiastic welcome by the villagers. Amid the beats of drums, he was escorted to the main stage, where villagers honored him by presenting a traditional turban. The entire village witnessed a festive atmosphere on this occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Justice Justice Suryakant expressed his deep gratitude towards his village, teachers, parents, elders, and fellow villagers. He said that the affection of the village and the blessings of elders are the greatest assets of his life. Recalling his student days, he shared that despite limited resources, the dedication of teachers and the guidance of elders motivated him to move forward and achieve his goals.
Emphasizing the importance of education, the Chief Justice stated that education is the biggest investment and every family should give top priority to their children’s studies. He appealed for collective support to ensure higher education for economically weaker but talented students and also announced his own financial contribution for this cause. Describing children as the future of the nation, he expressed confidence that they would bring pride to Haryana and the country at national and international levels.
Justice Suryakant encouraged the youth to move ahead in various fields such as the armed forces, medicine, engineering, and civil services. He said that sustained development in education, healthcare, and basic infrastructure would further strengthen villages. Reminiscing about his school days, he mentioned that he studied up to Class 10 in the same school. Though facilities were limited at that time, teachers were highly committed and often taught students late into the night to ensure better results than neighboring schools.
During the ceremony, several demands related to village development were placed, including the construction of a community health center near the bus stand, a new school building after demolishing the old one, establishment of an e-library, development of a herbal park, beautification of ponds, and installation of solar panels in the girls’ senior secondary school. Responding to these demands, the Chief Justice said that during his recent meeting with the Chief Minister, assurance was given that all genuine demands of the village would be fulfilled.
Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda welcomed the Chief Justice and announced that the government senior secondary school of the village would be developed as a Model Culture School. Meritorious students were honored during the event, while a painting of Justice Suryakant made by children drew special appreciation. Several judges, ministers, public representatives, administrative officers, and a large number of villagers were present on the occasion.