Dhadhogal (Sangrur), August 10:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday said that the state government was following the footsteps of legendary martyrs to ensure the development of the state and well being of the people especially from the economically weaker and underprivileged sections of society.
Addressing the gathering during a function to mark the death anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Dhadogal here today, the Chief Minister said that as a fact of matter every inch of this sacred land has the footprint of great Gurus, saints, seers, martyrs and poets. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjabis have been blessed with an indomitable spirit of hard work and resilience due to which they carve out space for themselves. He said that the social bonding in the state is so strong that any seed could grow on the fertile land of Punjab but the seed of hatred will not germinate here at any cost.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab is a sacred land of great Gurus, saints and seers who have shown us the path of mutual love and tolerance. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjabis have always opposed tyranny, injustice and oppression by cementing the bond of love and harmony. He said that the state government is making concerted efforts to realize the dreams of martyrs to ensure that the fruits of freedom are percolated to every household.
The Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that even after more than 75 years of freedom the benefits of freedom have still not reached every household. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those in power had misused the freedom to spread the tentacles of chitta (drugs), amass wealth by plundering the masses, encouraging corruption along with other menaces. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the dreams of martyrs have still not been realized as these people have never made any concerted effort for this.
The Chief Minister said that Punjabis have played a great role in national freedom and no NOC from those in power is required for their patriotism. He said that such type of disrespect to these great patriots and national leaders cannot be tolerated at any cost. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the earlier governments had never bothered about the people and had ruined the system due to which youth wanted to move abroad.
The Chief Minister said that ironically due to poor performance of the previous regimes the youth of our state wanted to go and work in the same country, the rulers of which were ousted by our martyrs and nationalists. Training his guns at his predecessors, he said that these leaders had built huge palaces by amassing whopping wealth by misusing their official positions. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the walls of these palatial palaces were high and the gates usually remained closed for the people and these leaders remained inaccessible to the people due to which they were ousted by the masses.
The Chief Minister bemoaned that the state had lagged behind in the pace of development due to the apathetic attitude of the traditional political parties. He said that the leaders of these parties ruined the younger generations of the state by misusing their power. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders had never worried about the welfare of the people but they were focused on the prosperity of their own families.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister to commemorate the historic occasion of the 350th Martyrdom Day of the ‘Hind Di Chadar’ (Protector of India), Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji, the Punjab Government will organize grand and historic events. He said that comprehensive development of places having the footsteps of the Guru Sahib will be ensured for which a detailed plan has been already chalked out. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed for perpetuating the glorious legacy of Guru Sahib for our coming generations.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government will adopt no leniency towards the ‘Jarnails’ who were the perpetrators behind the genocide of youth through the curse of drugs. He said that the Jarnails who had patronized the drug trade have already been put behind bars adding that these leaders not only used to patronize drug trade across the state but ironically they even sold/ supplied the drugs in their official government vehicles. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in the past no one had previously dared to arrest these affluent leaders, but now his government has done so and they will have to pay the price for their sins.
The Chief Minister said that when he assumed office, only 21% of agricultural land across the state was irrigated using canal water, but today that figure has increased to 63%. He said that due to the government’s effective efforts, for the first time in history, canal and river water is reaching the tail-end villages of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab government is duty bound to save the water of the state and no stone is being left unturned for it.
Paying to Shaheed Bhagat Singh Dhadhogal ji, the Chief Minister said that the nation is indebted to those martyrs who, for the love of their country, gave up all worldly pleasures, wealth, property, and attachments, and inspired others with a passion for freedom. He said that Shaheed Sardar Bhagat Singh Ji Dhadhogal was one of those brave souls who considered it his duty to fight against the tyranny, oppression, injustice, and discrimination of the princely states and ultimately sacrificed their lives for the nation. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Shaheed Bhagat Singh ji was a leading figure of the Parja Mandal movement and was very close to Sewa Singh Thikriwal ji.
The Chief Minister said that due to his active involvement in the Akali Movement, he was sentenced to ten years, adding that after his release, he also took part in the Gurdwara Reform Movement. He said that following the establishment of the Riyasati Praja Mandal (People’s Association of the Princely States), he emerged as a leading figure and spokesperson of the movement. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that today, the foundation stone has been laid for two road projects with a total cost of Rs. 17 crore and 21 lakh.
The Chief Minister said that first road is being constructed by the Punjab Mandi Board, connecting Link Road from Dhuri-Amargarh Road to Dhuri-Chheenta Wala Road and passing through Dhadhogal, Burj Gohra, Burj Seda, Cheema, Bhari Mansa, and Samundgarh Chhanna. Similarly, he said that second road is being constructed by the Public Works Department, connecting Amargarh to Dhuri-Bagrian Road and passing through Dhadhogal, Kheri Jattan, Lohar Majra, and EC (Electricity Colony). Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these roads will be 18 feet wide and the contractor will also be responsible for the maintenance of this road for five years.
