Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today appealed to the people to thwart the "nefarious designs of anti-social elements", which he said were bent upon to "jeopardise peace, communal harmony and brotherhood".
Addressing a gathering at Sports Stadium in Government College here after unfurling the National Flag during a state-level function on the occasion of 70th Independence Day, Badal said a few "inimical forces" were always envious of peaceful and development-oriented congenial atmosphere in the state and thus constantly "stoking fire" to derail the process of growth and prosperity.
"Let us re-dedicate ourselves to work collectively to build a strong and prosperous Punjab besides cementing the bond of love, peace and communal harmony, thus fulfilling the vision of our great freedom fighters and national heroes," he said.
The Chief Minister said it was matter of sheer pride and honour that despite the fact that we were just 2.5 per cent of country's entire population, we have made more than 80 per cent sacrifices in getting our motherland free from the yoke of British imperialism.
"Our brave Punjabi patriots and great warriors, who spearheaded various movements like Babbar Akali, Gadar, Namdhari and Kamagata Maru during the independence struggle were either exiled or executed.
"Several national heroes who laid down their lives like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh and Kartar Singh Sarabha would ever be remembered for their supreme sacrifices till eternity and act as a beacon to kindle the spirit of patriotism and nationalism amongst our future generations to come," he said.
The Chief Minister bemoaned that we have not yet been able to fulfill the dreams of our national heroes and freedom fighters, who made supreme sacrifices to enable us breathe freely in the air of freedom even after 69 years of independence.
Sharing the agony of Indo-Pak partition after independence, the Chief Minister said that when rest of the country was celebrating independence, Punjab was engaged in another life and death struggle in wake of the partition of the country.
As many as five lakh people were killed and nearly 1.5 crore were uprooted and rendered homeless.
Highlighting the importance of education and health as core sectors responsible for any country's or state's development, the Chief Minister said that our government has laid special emphasis on this count.
Due to our consistent efforts, we added 13 new universities and 30 more colleges to impart quality higher education to our youth.
Similarly, new initiatives have been undertaken in health
sector by providing free treatment to the patients inflicted with cancer and to the persons suffering from Hepatitis-C in government hospitals.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab was the only state which has taken lead in the country in this direction and now the trend has been reversed resulting in inflow of patients from outside Punjab to get treated in the best Advanced Cancer Institutes and Hospitals here like in Bathinda, Sangrur, Faridkot, Patiala and Amritsar.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab was the only state in the country which has surplus power and was supplying uninterrupted power to the industry, agriculture and domestic sector.
Our state has left no stone unturned in taking pro-poor initiatives in terms of launching social security schemes like Atta-Dal, Shagun scheme and now the amount of pensions under various social security schemes has been doubled from Rs 250 to Rs 500 per month.
He said several state-of-the-art monuments were coming up to preserve our glorious cultural heritage including Jang-e-Azadi at Kartarpur (Jalandhar), War Heroes Memorial at Amritsar, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, Amritsar, Guru Ravidass Memorial, Khuralgarh, Baba Jeevan Singh (Bhai Jaita Ji) Memorial at Sri Anandpur Sahib to apprise our younger generations about our rich legacy.
Meanwhile, state's Minister for Forest and Wildlife Chuni Lal Bhagat said, "In the freedom struggle, among those people who sacrificed their lives, 80 per cent were from Punjab. People from the state are not only available for providing security to Punjab, but to other parts of the country in thwarting terrorism and naxalism.
"Some anti-social elements are trying to disturb the peace and they must realise that any anti-national move will not be successful."
The Chief Minister listed the prestigious projects awarded to Punjab by Government of India like AIIMS, IIM, Horticulture Institute of Development and Research besides declaring heritage status to Amritsar City and Jallianwala Bagh.
Earlier, the Chief Minister took a salute during an impressive march past by the contingents of Punjab Police Recruits Training Centre (PRTC) Jahankhellan, Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, Punjab Armed Police (PAP), Jalandhar, NCC Bharat Scouts and Guides led by the parade Commander Olympian and Arjuna Awardee DSP Punjab Police Rajpal Singh.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister bestowed 32 state-level awards on the eminent personalities from different walks of life in recognition with outstanding services rendered by them in different fields.
As many as 17 officers and officials from state Police department were honoured with Chief Minister's Medal for Outstanding Devotion to Duty.
Likewise, three Police personnel were awarded Chief Minister's Rakshak Padak and seven others were honoured with Community Policing Sewa Medal for distinguished services in Police department.
Earlier, a colourful variety programme comprising mass PT show, Giddha, Bhangra and other traditional folk dances enthralled the audience with their scintillating performance.
The Chief Minister also honoured freedom fighters and handed over sewing machines and tricycles to the needy.
Badal also gave away prizes to the school children who participated in various events on the Independence Day celebrations.
