Punjab Newsline | Firozpur
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann hoisted the national flag at the Cantt Board Stadium in Firozpur on the occasion of the country’s 80th Independence Day. Before the ceremony, Mann, accompanied by his wife Dr Gurpreet Kaur, paid tributes at the National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala.
Addressing the gathering, Mann said Punjabis had paid the “biggest price” during the Partition of 1947 and had made one of the greatest contributions to India’s freedom struggle. He said the sacrifices of Punjabis during movements such as the Kuka, Ghadar and Babbar Akali movements, as well as those of freedom fighters including Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh and Kartar Singh Sarabha, would always be remembered.
Mann said Punjab’s fertile land can produce every crop, but “the seed of hatred can never grow here.” He warned that forces attempting to disrupt peace, brotherhood and social harmony in Punjab and the country would never succeed.
He also paid tribute to Indian soldiers, saying Punjabis have remained at the forefront of the country’s defence during wars and continue to serve along the nation’s borders, from the mountains of Kargil to the deserts of Rajasthan.
Highlighting his government’s achievements, Mann said several election guarantees had been fulfilled during the past four-and-a-half years, along with initiatives that were not part of the original election promises.
He said the ‘Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Scheme’ had so far registered 74 lakh women, with ₹2,274 crore disbursed under the initiative. He appealed to more women to register for the scheme.
On the ‘Chief Minister Pilgrimage Scheme’, Mann said more than four lakh devotees had already visited religious sites including Anandpur Sahib, Mata Naina Devi and Darbar Sahib. Buses are now also operating for pilgrims travelling to religious destinations outside Punjab, including Haridwar, Rishikesh, Khatu Shyam, Salasar, Mathura and Vrindavan.
Mann said Punjab was fortunate to have the opportunity to celebrate the 650th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas Ji. The state government has allocated ₹100 crore for year-long celebrations. He also recalled the state’s celebrations commemorating the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji last year.
On healthcare, Mann said Punjab now has 1,100 Aam Aadmi Clinics, which have recorded 5.25 crore outpatient visits so far. He said the health data generated through these clinics would help the government identify areas where particular diseases are more prevalent and improve healthcare planning.
Chief Minister also highlighted reforms in education, claiming that Punjab had risen from 27th position to first place in primary education rankings. He said the state had achieved the top position by overtaking Kerala.
Mann said 882 students from Punjab qualified for NEET this year, compared with around 40 students from government schools in earlier years. He added that buses were being used to transport girls studying in nearly 15,000 government schools.
He further said private schools would not be allowed to increase fees by more than five per cent. According to him, the decision would benefit around 32 lakh families whose children study in approximately 7,800 schools across the state.
Chief Minister also said the ‘Meri Rasoi’ scheme had benefited around 40 lakh people, while 2,800 new ration depots were being opened across Punjab.
Mann said the contribution of Punjabis to India’s freedom movement went beyond the names that appear in history books and films. Many lesser-known patriots, he said, had also made significant sacrifices for the country’s independence.
He also paid tribute to soldiers guarding the nation in extreme weather conditions, noting that while families sleep comfortably in air-conditioned rooms during summer or under quilts during severe winter, soldiers remain stationed at the borders to protect the country.
The Independence Day program also marked the first time Vande Mataram was sung at a Punjab government function. Finance Minister Harpal Cheema hoisted the Tricolour in Ludhiana, while Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria led the ceremony in Chandigarh. Food and Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak hoisted the national flag in Pathankot, and Minister Mohinder Bhagat did so in Jalandhar.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after hoisting the Tricolour at the Red Fort in Delhi, mentioned Ludhiana in his Independence Day address and appealed to entrepreneurs associated with the MSME sector to develop their products to global standards.
