CHANDIGARH; 14th September 2026:
Reaffirming that Punjab will never allow the sacrifice of its bravehearts to fade from public memory, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday dedicated a 200-foot-wide HR-2 road and a park in New Chandigarh to Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh (Kirti Chakra), who lost his life while defending the nation in Anantnag. “Our martyrs are our pride and legacy, and the Punjab Government will always stand firmly with their families,” the Chief Minister said, while reiterating that his government is leaving no stone unturned for the welfare of Armed Forces personnel and their families.
Taking to X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “I pay my heartfelt tributes to the great warrior, Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh (Kirti Chakra), who attained martyrdom while defending the nation in Anantnag, on his martyrdom anniversary. As a mark of respect to this braveheart, today we have named the road from Mundhopur Chowk to the T-Point ‘Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh Marg’ and the park in Sector 5-A ‘Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh Park’. The unparalleled sacrifice of this brave son of village Bharojian will always inspire our youth. Our martyrs are our pride and legacy, and the Punjab Government will always stand firmly with their families. Inquilab Zindabad.”
Interacting with media persons after dedicating a road and park in the name of Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann paid heartfelt homage and deepest respect to the martyr, saying, “On this occasion, the state government remembers the immense contribution of this brave warrior to the nation. This braveheart made the supreme sacrifice while fighting the enemy in defence of the motherland,” he added.
Giving details of the tribute, the Chief Minister said, “In his memory, the state government has named the 200-foot-wide road from Mullanpur Chowk to the T-Point as ‘Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh Marg’.”
Similarly, he said, “The park in Sector 5-A Block has been named ‘Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh Park’ as a tribute to his memory and sacrifice. By naming these public places after this brave son of Punjab, particularly from the Chandigarh-Mohali region and village Bharojian, the state government has paid homage to his supreme sacrifice.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed hope that the initiative would inspire the youth of Punjab to serve the nation selflessly. He said, “I hope that this will help inspire the youth of Punjab to render selfless service to the nation in the time to come. The valour, guidance and sacrifice of Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh will continue to inspire us forever.”
Recalling the martyr’s service record, he said, “Shaheed Colonel Manpreet Singh attained martyrdom on September 13, 2023, while serving as the Commanding Officer of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles Regiment. Colonel Manpreet Singh displayed exceptional courage during an encounter with terrorists in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir and made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation.”
Highlighting the recognition bestowed upon the martyr, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In recognition of his extraordinary courage and supreme sacrifice, the Government of India posthumously conferred upon him the Kirti Chakra, the country’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, on August 15, 2024.”
The Chief Minister stated, “Colonel Manpreet Singh was born in 1982 in village Bharojian and received his primary and higher education in Mohali and Chandigarh.” He added, “Following in the footsteps of his father, he joined the Indian Army in 2005 as a commissioned officer.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “His life of courage, dedication and selfless service to the nation will remain an enduring source of inspiration for generations to come. The state government is committed to perpetuating the legacy of this brave son of the soil who made the supreme sacrifice for the country.”
Highlighting the state government’s commitment towards the families of personnel making the supreme sacrifice, he said, “Recognising the immense contribution of jawans of the Armed Forces, paramilitary forces, Police and even Agnivirs in safeguarding the unity and integrity of the country, the state government gives financial assistance worth ₹1 crore to the family in case a jawan attains martyrdom in the line of duty.”
He said, “This is in consonance with the commitment of the state government to ensure the well-being of the soldiers from the Armed Forces, paramilitary and Police and their families.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “This humble initiative by the state will go a long way in helping the aggrieved family on one hand and securing their future on the other.”
*On Education Sector*
Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said, “The state government has laid major thrust on the development of the education sector in the state.”
He said, “Due to the concerted efforts of the state government, the schools have witnessed a major overhaul in infrastructure.”
Highlighting the achievements of government school students, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Today, the students of the government schools in the state are excelling in coveted examinations like JEE, NEET and others, which is a matter of immense satisfaction for us.”
Lok Sabha MP Malwinder Singh Kang and others were also present on the occasion.
