Chandigarh, January 26 – Haryana Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh said after Independence, India has established its identity as a strong nation on the world stage. He said our leaders, farmers, labourers, artisans and scientists have made a significant contribution to this achievement by working tirelessly day and night to take the country forward. He added that Haryana has played an important role in the nation’s progress.
The Governor was addressing the Republic Day function as the Chief Guest at the Parade Ground, Sector-5, Panchkula, today. Prior to this, he unfurled the National Flag, inspected the parade and took the salute during the march-past. On this occasion, the Governor’s wife, Smt. Mitra Ghosh, was also present.
Extending warm greetings and best wishes to the people of the state and the district on the auspicious occasion of Republic Day, Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh said that he also pays homage to the freedom fighters and martyrs whose sacrifices made this glorious day possible for us.
He said that on this very day our Constitution came into force, which granted us the fundamental rights of justice, liberty and equality. On this day, India became the world’s largest independent democratic republic. He said on this occasion he bows to the chief architect of the Constitution, Baba Saheb Dr. BR Ambedkar, and all the members of the Constituent Assembly. He said this historic day inspires us to build a strong nation and reminds us of those great personalities because of whom India became a republic. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Lala Lajpat Rai, Sardar Patel and Dr. Rajendra Prasad made immense sacrifices for the country’s freedom.
The Governor said under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, India is progressing rapidly today. The country has successfully carried out missions such as Chandrayaan, Suryayaan and Mangalyaan. He said it gives him immense pride that the Freedom Struggle Memorial at Ambala, built in memory of the people of Haryana who played a role in the freedom movement, has been completed. Along with this, Haryana has also set new benchmarks in the fields of education, health and sports.
He said that it is a matter of pride that the youth of Haryana consider joining the armed forces an honour, which is why every tenth soldier in the Indian Army is from Haryana. He expressed gratitude to the brave soldiers who safeguard the nation’s borders. He said the state government has taken several important steps for the welfare of soldiers and their dependents. A separate Department of Sainik & Ardh Sainik Welfare has been constituted, and the assistance amount for soldiers martyred in war has been increased to Rs. 1 crore. Ten percent reservation in recruitment has been provided to Agniveers, and jobs have also been given to the dependents of the victims of the 1984 riots.
Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh said the state government is working on the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Haryana Ek–Haryanvi Ek. With this vision, continuous efforts are being made for the development and welfare of Haryana and Haryanvis. He said that Haryana has progressed with harmony and balanced development, making people’s lives easier, safer and more convenient. Today, there is direct interaction between the public and the government, and the system has been simplified and made transparent through IT. As a result, benefits such as Shagun amount, pensions, BPL and Chirayu cards, and farmers’ crop payments are reaching eligible beneficiaries directly into their bank accounts with a single click.
Highlighting the government’s priorities, the Governor said that healthcare has been accorded top priority in Haryana. Free dialysis facilities are available for poor patients in all district hospitals, and citizens above 70 years of age are being provided Ayushman Bharat cards with coverage up to Rs. 10 lakh. Under the HAPPY scheme, poor families are being provided free travel up to 1,000 kilometres annually on Haryana Roadways buses. Similarly, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, nearly one lakh houses have been provided to poor families, and about 50,000 houses are under construction. Under the Chief Minister Housing Schemes, plots have been allotted to the poor in cities and villages, and the remaining plots will soon be allotted through a draw.
Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh said through e-governance, the government has simplified and made transparent the system in every sector, including agriculture, education, health and employment, enabling people to avail benefits of schemes from their homes. In agriculture, under Meri Fasal Mera Byora and MSP procurement, the payment for crops is being transferred directly into farmers’ accounts within 48 hours. Farmers are also receiving compensation for crop loss, assistance amounts, and financial support under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme directly into their accounts. At the same time, indigenous cows, natural farming, animal husbandry and milk production are being encouraged. For better irrigation and water management, canals, wells and rainwater harvesting systems are being developed.
He said that to accelerate industrial development in Haryana, the government has established an Ease of Doing Business system. The process of issuing certificates and licences has been simplified and made online. He added that the government has implemented several schemes to provide government jobs to a large number of youths and to increase women’s participation.
The Governor said that through schemes such as old age honorarium, widow and disability pensions, Beti Bachao–Beti Padhao, and One Stop Centre Sakhi, women are receiving security and benefits. He said that Metropolitan Development Authorities have been constituted to develop Gurugram, Faridabad and Panchkula as smart cities. Along with this, rapid development of roads, rail and Rapid Rail projects is underway.
On this occasion, the Governor also called upon all present to pledge to work together to make the country and the state prosperous and developed by following our great cultural traditions and high moral values.
At the event, the Governor honoured the dependents of freedom fighters and the widows of army officers/soldiers who attained martyrdom in war by presenting shawls.
Earlier, the Governor paid floral tributes at the Shaheed Memorial in Sector-12 and offered homage to the brave martyrs of the nation.
Box
During the Republic Day celebrations, a magnificent march-past was presented under the leadership of Parade Commander Sh. Prateek Aggarwal, IPS, by contingents of Haryana Police Panchkula, Haryana Police Academy Madhuban, Rajasthan Police, Haryana Home Guards Panchkula, NCC Girls Senior Wing, NCC Boys Junior Division, Satluj Public School Sector-4, St. Soldier Public School Sector-16, Bhavan Vidyalaya Sector-15, and Scouts and Guides. In addition, Haryana Police Academy Madhuban presented a precise weapon drill, mass PT show and yoga display; Government Senior Secondary School Sector-6 and PM Shri Government Girls Senior Secondary School Sector-15 Panchkula presented PT shows; Government Adarsh Sanskriti Senior Secondary School Sector-20 Panchkula presented a dumbbell show; and Government Adarsh Sanskriti Senior Secondary School Sector-26 presented an impressive Surya Namaskar. The daredevil show by Haryana Police commandos left everyone amazed.
Patriotic and Haryanvi cultural performances by school children filled the atmosphere with the spirit of nationalism. Tableaux based on welfare schemes presented by various departments were also a major attraction.
Governor honours winners
In the tableaux competition, the tableau of the Forest Division Officer, Morni secured first place, the tableau of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Panchkula secured second place, and the tableau of the District Ayurveda Officer, Panchkula secured third place. In the parade competition, the Haryana Police Academy Madhuban police platoon secured first place, Rajasthan Police second place, and the ITBP Bhanu (Women) contingent third place. The Governor honoured the winners by presenting trophies. He also presented trophies to all school teams that gave outstanding performances during the ceremony and awarded commendation certificates to officers, employees, students, sportspersons and social workers for their excellent contributions.
The Governor appreciated the splendid cultural performances by school children and other participants and announced a one-day holiday on January 27 in all schools of Panchkula. He also announced leave with pay for police personnel and officers who participated in the parade.
Present on the occasion were Chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women, Renu Bhatia, Director General of Police Ajay Singhal, former Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha Gian Chand Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Satpal Sharma, Police Commissioner Shibas Kaviraj, Deputy Commissioner of Police Srishti Gupta, Additional Director (Administration), Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Smt. Varsha Khangwal, former Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal, State Vice President Banto Kataria, District President Ajay Mittal, along with other senior officers of the district administration and dignitaries.
