CHANDIGARH, 8th March 2026:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann exhorted the Punjabi Diaspora to play a proactive role in restoring the pristine glory of Punjab while addressing a gathering during India International Week.
Extending a warm welcome to the distinguished dignitaries who arrived from across the world to the sacred land of Punjab, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the delegation includes eminent legal scholars, heads of legal institutions, lawyers, and other distinguished personalities. He profusely thanked the organizers of India International Disputes Week-2026 for choosing Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab, as the venue to bring together respected legal minds from across the world on a single platform.
The Chief Minister said he was delighted to know that the delegation also includes Sikh lawyers, judges, and other eminent Sikh personalities from the USA, UK, Canada, and Singapore who have come to the sacred land of their ancestors. “Among them are several distinguished personalities who, through their talent, dedication, and hard work, have achieved great success abroad. I personally feel proud of their achievements and these moments are equally a matter of pride for all Punjabis,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Welcoming the guests, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Government of Punjab feels honored to host you all. Punjab is the sacred land of great Gurus, saints, and spiritual leaders. The state is known as the land of brave and hardworking people. Our soldiers safeguard the borders, while our farmers ensure the nation’s food security. Therefore, Punjab is proudly known as the ‘Food Bowl and Sword Arm of India’.”
Highlighting the social fabric of the state, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab is a peaceful state where harmony, mutual respect, and brotherhood are so strong that hatred cannot germinate. Punjabis have always set a beautiful example of communal harmony before the world. The holy city of Amritsar is known as a symbol of universal brotherhood, where sacred sites such as Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Temple, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, and Jallianwala Bagh are located.”
Speaking about the significance of the legal forum, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “India International Disputes Week is a platform that brings together judges, senior lawyers, law firms, young lawyers, intellectuals, and institutions from across the world. Over the course of five days, discussions will be held on various important legal subjects including Domestic Violence, Financial Crime, Public Interest Litigation, Environmental Law, Media Regulation, Mediation Strategy, Cross-Border Settlements, and other key topics. I hope that this initiative will also prove beneficial and meaningful for the common people.”
Highlighting the efforts of the Punjab Government to strengthen the justice delivery system, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann noted, “To strengthen the justice delivery system and ensure timely justice for citizens, 159 Law Officers have been recruited since 2022. To make government laws and rules accessible to the public, 53 Acts of various departments of the Punjab Government have been translated into Punjabi and uploaded on the Indian Code Portal of the Government of India. A Special Court has also been established in Mohali under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act.”
He further said, “Six Special NRI Courts have been established in the districts of Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Moga, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. Fast Track Special Courts have been set up in Sangrur and Tarn Taran. Since 2023, an amount of ₹48.82 crore has been spent on improving the infrastructure of courts across Punjab. The Punjab Government is making strenuous efforts to ensure that justice is accessible to all people, especially those from weaker and underprivileged sections of society.”
On the occasion, Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Dr Balbir Singh, Dr Ravjot Singh, Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Barinder Goyal, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and others were also present.
