Chandigarh, September 17:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday launched ‘Mission Chardi Kala’- a global fundraising campaign to raise funds for the state Government’s rehabilitation efforts for 2025 Punjab flood victims
In a video message, the Chief Minister said that in the past days, the state witnessed a scene that our generations will never forget. He said that the floods didn’t just bring water rather it washed away millions of dreams. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 2,300 villages submerged, more than 2 million people affected, five lakh acres of crops destroyed, 56 precious lives were lost and seven lakh people have become homeless.
Likewise, the Chief Minister said that 3,200 government schools have been damaged, 19 colleges turned into rubble,1,400 clinics and hospitals have been ruined, 8,500 kilometers of roads have been destroyed and 2,500 bridges have collapsed. He said that According to initial estimates, the loss is around ₹13,800 crore, and the actual damage may be even greater. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is the most horrifying tragedy in Punjab’s history adding that this is state’s biggest test too as every time Punjab has faced a crisis, we have never bowed down but we have stood tall, with strength and courage.
The Chief Minister said that even during this flood, he saw how the youth risked their lives to save others, how gurdwaras and temples opened their doors and served food to distressed people and how entire Punjab stood together like one big family, which is our greatest strength. He said that now it is time to move beyond relief and begin rehabilitation as our farmers need to sow their fields again, Our children need to return to school and Families need to rebuild their homes. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is the reason why the state government has launched Mission Chardi Kala, which means strength even in sorrow, hope even in darkness.
The Chief Minister appealed to every Punjabi, to every citizen of India, to industrialists, artists, charitable trusts, and to all Punjabi brothers and sisters across the world that today Punjab needs them. He gave them a clarion call to come together and hold Punjab’s hand in this time of need adding that all of them should open their hearts and support Punjab generously. Bhagwant Singh Mann promised that every single rupee of their contribution will be used with full honesty and transparency, solely for rehabilitation and rebuilding.
The Chief Minister urged the people that they should contribute by visiting www.rangla.punjab.gov.in. He expressed hope that together Punjabis will once again prove that Punjab never gives up and it always remains in Chardi Kala. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a special war room has also been set up in his office to directly oversee all activities related to Mission Chardi-Kala adding that he will monitor these efforts personally on a daily basis.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister held a video conference with the Deputy Commissioners of all districts to review the flood relief efforts. He directed the Deputy Commissioners to visit the flood relief camps and other affected areas daily to ensure that people do not face any kind of inconvenience. Bhagwant Singh Mann apprised them of Mission Chardi Kala and stated that every single penny collected under this mission will be spent on the rehabilitation of the flood-affected people.
On the occasion Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and others were also present.
