Khatkar Kalan (SBS Nagar): In a big bonanza to people on birth anniversary of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today announced to resume Shaheed Bhagat Singh Yuva award and setting up of chair at Guru Nanak Dev university in name of legendary martyr.
Addressing the gathering here during a state level function to mark birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, the Chief Minister said that the award will bestowed to 46 youth every year for their outstanding contribution in several fields. He said that the award winners will get cash money worth Rs 51,000 along with appreciation certificate. Bhagwant Mann bemoaned that this award was stopped around seven years back but will be resumed now.
The Chief Minister further announced that the state government will set up a chair on name of Shaheed Bhagat Singh at Guru Nanak Dev university, Amritsar. He said that the chair will undertake extensive research on life and philosophy of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Bhagwant Mann said that this will help in inspiring the coming generations for serving the country.
The Chief Minister exhorted the people to vow that they will not leave the country in search of good fortunes. He said that all of us should pledge that we will improve the system by living here rather than fleeing away in search of green pastures. Bhagwant Mann assured the people that state government is committed for restoring the pristine glory of Punjab.
The Chief Minister said that the dreams of Shaheed-e-Azam still remain unfulfilled as corruption, nepotism and poverty still rule the roost. He said that those who came into power after Britishers plundered the country more mercilessly than the foreigners. Bhagwant Mann said that he is peeved to hear when some people say that the rule of Britishers was better than this day adding that this notion needs to be changed
The Chief Minister also called upon people to rise above the parochial consideration of caste, communalism and creed to make India number one. He said that it will be real tribute to Shaheed Bhagat Singh and other freedom fighters who had laid their lives at altar of motherland. Bhagwant Mann also called upon youth to come forward and carve out a country of Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s dream.
The Chief Minister bemoaned that it is unfortunate that these days some people are raising questions of sacrifice of the martyrs. He said that no one has any right to pose question mark over the contribution of great martyrs for their motherland. Bhagwant Mann reminded the people that when our great national heroes and martyrs were waging war against the atrocious British regime some traitors were siding with the imperialist forces adding that no one remember such people now.
The Chief Minister also announced that the state government will install a 5D statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh near the International Airport at Mohali. He said that the hi-tech statue will inspire the younger generations to serve the country zealously. Bhagwant Mann also asked the youth to read more and more books to update their knowledge to cope up with challenges being faced by the country.
The Chief Minister said that while the 23 years old youth of today demands motorcycle from his parents, Shaheed Bhagat Singh had sought freedom for country from Britishers in same age. He said that youth should widen their prospective by reading more and more books. Bhagwant Mann said that it will help in fulfilling the dreams of legendary martyr.
The Chief Minister also recalled that two days were most important in his life. He said that one was December 28 when Lok Sabha had paid tributes to chotta sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh on their martyrdom day after he had pursued the matter with then Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and other was today as Mohali airport has been named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Bhagwant Mann said that both the days are of immense importance in his life.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also felicitated the descendants of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Shaheed Sukhdev.