IEP CHANDIGARH AUGUST 14, 2022
Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that a world-class ‘Shaheedi Smarak’ will be built by Panchnad Smarak Trust near Pipli in the Kurukshetra district to remember those who were martyred at the time of partition. Chief Minister directs Panchnad Smarak Trust to form a semi-government ‘Shaheedi Smarak Trust’.
Sh. Manohar Lal said that he wishes that this ‘Shaheedi Smarak’ should be recognized at the national level, for which every section of the society should ensure their contribution.
I will also make a contribution on personal level and on behalf of the State Government for the construction of this ‘Shaheedi Smarak’, said Sh. Manohar Lal while speaking at the state-level programme to observe Partition Horrors Remembrance Day held in Kurukshetra on Sunday.
The Chief Minister firstly inaugurated two exhibitions organized by the Information, Public Relations and Languages Department and Haryana Sahitya Akademi. In these exhibitions, the memories of the partition have been displayed through photographs, cartoons and news stories.
As a gesture of respect, the Chief Minister especially descended from the stage to greet the elderly who had faced the partition horrors. Getting such kind treatment by the Chief Minister, the elderly got emotional.
In his inaugural address, the Chief Minister said that India will be completing its 75 years of independence on August 15, which is certainly a joyous and proud occasion but with the sweetness of freedom, the country had to also bear the trauma of partition. Therefore August 14 will be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day (Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas’) to give a fitting tribute to all those who lost their lives and had left their homes during Partition.
“In this partition, the provinces of Punjab, Bengal and Sindh were separated. The pain of partition can never be forgotten. No partition is devoid of tribulations but the story of India has been more painful and traumatic as lakhs of families were displaced and several were martyred,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.
People had to suffer the trauma of partition before independence
The Chief Minister said that people had to suffer the trauma of partition before independence. They had to leave their homes and had to settle thousands of kilometers away.
He said that at the time of partition some people traveled to either side of the border on foot, on train or on bullock carts. Due to religious hysteria, violence, and hatred, lakhs of people were martyred in the partition. The traumatic incidents of partition still give goosebumps to those elderly who have suffered this pain.
Our Grandmothers used to tell stories of Partition
The Chief Minister said that his grandmother used to tell stories of partition. Sharing his own experience, the Chief Minister said that when he used to study in college, his grandmother used to tell him how his paternal uncle and father were left behind in Partition, while the rest of the family moved to India. These stories brought a change in his life and it was then he decided to take a resolution for serving the country and the society, added Sh. Manohar Lal.
The Chief Minister said that after this he joined an organization and adopted the love of the nation and considered the country and the state as his family.
After the partition, people worked hard to become independent
The Chief Minister said that during the partition when the families came to India, they had no food, shelter and clothes, but they did not beg and worked hard to become independent.
Sh. Manohar Lal said that he is indebted to their ancestors who did not accept the demand for getting reservations but gave priority to their hard work.
In the last 70 years after independence, many prime ministers came but no one ever thought of remembering the supreme sacrifices made by the martyrs of partition. Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi has termed the country’s partition as the biggest tragedy of the 20th century and he has announced to observe August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day (Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas’), said Sh. Manohar Lal.
Farmers who have been farming for 75 years to get rights
The Chief Minister announced that the State Government is considering giving some rights to those who migrated here after partition and are doing farming on that barren land, which they have got at the time of partition. The youth of this Nation and the coming generations should have complete information about the struggle and sacrifice of their ancestors.
He called upon the young generation that if we want to take the country forward, then we have to remember our society, culture and dialect.
MP, Kurukshetra Sh. Nayab Saini, Karnal MP, Sh. Sanjay Bhatia, Ambala MP, Sh. Rattan Lal Kataria, Rohtak MP, Sh. Arvind Sharma, MLA, Sh. Subhash Sudha, MLA, Sh. Vinod Bhayana, MLA Parmod Vij, MLA, Smt. Seema Trikha, Swami Dharmdev Maharaj and Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj, several dignitaries and other senior officers of the state government were also present in the programme.
