Chandigarh, August 16 – On the auspicious occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, released a fodder grant of Rs. 1.80 crore for 19 gaushalas in Kurukshetra district.

The Chief Minister said that the state government will release a total of Rs. 88.50 crore as fodder subsidy for 605 gaushalas across Haryana.

          While addressing the gathering during the programme at Gita Gyan Sansthan, Kurukshetra, on Saturday, the Chief Minister extended his greetings on the holy festival of Sri Krishna Janmashtami. During the programme, he also released a research publication on the Gita and Ayurveda. Earlier, he visited Sri Krishna Kripa Gaushala, where he offered prayers by feeding jaggery and fodder to cows, and performed rituals at Sri Krishna Kripa Temple.

          He said that over the past ten and a half years, the government has provided fodder subsidies worth Rs. 270 crore to registered gaushalas. With the current release, the total subsidy amount has now reached Rs. 358.50 crore.

          He said that in 2014–15, the budget for Haryana Gau Seva Aayog was only Rs 2 crore. In contrast, the present government has raised it to Rs. 595 crore this year. Until 2014, Haryana had only 215 registered gaushalas with about 1.75 lakh cattle. Currently, there are 686 registered gaushalas housing nearly 4 lakh stray cattle. Solar power plants have been installed in 330 gaushalas, and the work to set them up in the remaining gaushalas will soon be completed.

          The Chief Minister said that the process of purchasing 800 e-rickshaws for gaushalas is underway. Electricity is being provided to gaushalas at a concessional rate of Rs 2 per unit. Veterinary services have been arranged for regular health check-ups of cattle, along with mobile veterinary clinics. The government has also decided to grant Rs. 10 lakh per gaushala to 200 gaushalas for building sheds to accommodate stray cattle.

          He said that Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has implemented the National Gokul Mission for the conservation and promotion of indigenous cow breeds. The Haryana government is making extensive efforts to make gaushalas self-reliant. Assistance is also being provided for the purchase of required machinery for Panchagavya production as per the demand of gaushalas. For the protection of cows, the government has implemented a strict law, the Haryana Gau-Vansh Sanrakshan and Gau Samvardhan Act, 2015.

          Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, said that since ancient times, cows have held a special place in Indian culture. In earlier times, the economy was largely dependent on cows. Even before the formation of Haryana, farming was done using ploughs drawn by oxen. Today, the Haryana government is running several schemes for the protection of cows.

          Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj praised the efforts of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini in the direction of cow protection. He said that Lord Sri Krishna considered the cow divine and worship-worthy. It was on the land of Kurukshetra that Lord Sri Krishna delivered the message of the Gita. He said that multiple forms of Gita-related research are already underway at Gita Gyan Sansthan, and now research on the Gita and Ayurveda will also be carried out here.

Chandigarh, August 16 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, said that the government always stands together with traders who work tirelessly for the development of the state. He assured that any issues faced by traders will be resolved on priority basis. Responding to the traders’ long-standing demand, the Chief Minister announced a reduction in the lump sum fee charged on binola machines from Rs. 42,000 to Rs. 21,000.

          The Chief Minister said this while interacting with the office-bearers of the Haryana Oil Mills Association of Khal binola Traders at Multi Art Culture Center, Kurukshetra on Saturday. On this occasion, traders honoured the Chief Minister by presenting him a turban and informed him about the problems being faced by them.

          Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, Former Minister,  Sh. Aseem Goel and officers from Haryana Oil Mill Association also remained present.

Chandigarh, August 16 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, making a major announcement in the interest of farmers, said that on the lines of horticulture crops, honey will also be included in the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana. Along with this, arrangements will be made for honey sales at the Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre at Ramnagar, Kurukshetra. Facilities for storage and quality testing will also be provided there. Soon, a Quality Control Laboratory will be established at a cost of Rs. 20 crore. In addition, the Ramnagar Institute will be developed into a national-level institute where advanced and scientific research related to beekeeping can be undertaken.

          The Chief Minister was addressing a state-level workshop on beekeeping organized in Kurukshetra on Saturday. He said that beekeeping is a major source of additional income for farmers and also enhances crop productivity. To realize Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s call for a “Sweet Revolution,” Haryana is moving forward at a rapid pace.

Target of Producing 15,500 Metric Tonnes of Honey by 2030

          Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that in Ramnagar, Kurukshetra, the country’s first Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre has been established with the cooperation of Israel, where training is being provided to farmers. A Honey Trade Centre is also functioning here, through which 74,000 boxes and 3,43,000 comb sheets have been distributed so far. The centre also has facilities for honey processing and bottling. The state government has formulated the “Beekeeping Policy – 2021,” under which a target has been set to prepare 7,750 beekeepers and produce 15,500 metric tonnes of honey by the year 2030. Subsidy of up to 85 percent is being provided on bee boxes, colonies, and equipment.

          He further said that along with beekeeping, horticulture has been made the main pillar of agricultural diversification. In 2014, the horticulture area in the state was 1.17 lakh acres, which has now increased to 2.60 lakh acres.

          The Chief Minister said that beekeeping is such an enterprise that requires minimal land and can be adopted as a startup by women and youth. He urged the youth to launch honey brands and market their products globally through online platforms. The government will provide financial support and technical guidance at every step.

Raising Farmers’ Income is the Top Priority of the Government – Agriculture Minister

Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, continuous efforts are being made to increase farmers’ income. For strengthening the economy, empowering farmers is the foremost necessity. In this direction, apart from crops, allied sectors such as dairy, animal husbandry, beekeeping, and fisheries are also being promoted, leading to steady growth in farmers’ incomes. He said that no country can be stopped from progressing if its agriculture sector is strong, backed by scientific outlook and robust security measures.

Chandigarh, August 16

In a culturally rich and intellectually invigorating event held at Punjab Kala Bhawan, an iconic architectural landmark designed by the author himself, five new books by Dr SS Bhatti, former Principal of Chandigarh College of Architecture, were released to an admiring audience of scholars, artists, and art lovers.

The Chief Guest, Sardar Swarnjit Singh Savi, Chairman, Punjab Arts Council, released Recovery of India, a thought-provoking socio-political treatise envisioning the revival of Indian nationhood. “Dr Bhatti is not only an architect of buildings but of the human spirit,” Mr Savi said. “His vision penetrates through superficial layers of politics, reaching the very soul of civilisational values.” He praised the book as a landmark in contemporary thought, a blueprint for rebuilding India from within.

Col Tilak Raj, former Chief Postmaster General of Punjab and Chandigarh Circle, released Pen-Prints on the Sands of Time, a poetic diary of spiritual insight and personal reflection. Having penned the Forewords for both this volume and Recovery of India, Col Raj observed: “These are books of enduring relevance and timeless appeal. Dr Bhatti’s writing unites aesthetic grace with intellectual depth. His insights are not only original but transformative. These books will make a prized addition to personal and public libraries.”

Ar Surinder Bahga, Principal Architect of Saakaar Foundation, released My Art, a unique compilation of drawings, paintings, and graphics created across decades. He applauded the book as a luminous journey through the multifaceted creative personality of an architect who has never been content with any single medium. “Dr Bhatti’s visual art is an extension of his philosophical and poetic mind,” he noted.

Prof Swati Behl Uppal, Principal of the University Institute of Architecture, Chandigarh University, released Covid-19 Creativity: Stray Musings, a literary meditation on resilience, written during the height of global uncertainty. “This book captures not only the angst of the pandemic but also the triumph of the human spirit,” she said. “Dr Bhatti uses language as balm, philosophy as compass.”

Pal Ajnabi, a noted Punjabi poet, released Meri Chup Hi Kavita Kehndi, an anthology of Punjabi poetry by Dr Bhatti. “In this work, silence itself becomes speech,” he said. “His Punjabi poems blend metaphysical depth with earthy idiom, an achievement rarely seen.”

Navsangeet Bahga, Director, White Falcon Publishing Solutions Ltd., shared insights into the long and fulfilling publishing association with Dr Bhatti. Having published more than 30 of his books across genres and languages, she curated an exhibition of his publications for the occasion. “Working with Dr Bhatti is to witness history being written with every book,” she stated.

In his Vote of Thanks, Dr SS Bhatti offered a deeply personal and philosophical reflection on the Art of Writing and the Creation of Significant Literature. He emphasised that his writing prowess was forged through an unceasing refinement of sensibility—his innate receptivity to truth, beauty, and life itself. “I trained myself to remain in a creatively active mode—where originality, diversity, and abundance become a way of being,” he remarked. “My quest has never been for fame but for fullness of expression.”

Dr Bhatti also added with a note of humility and humour that he may well be “the architect with the largest number of authored publications in the world”, a claim no one disputed in the auditorium. He presented a copy of his book Recovery of India to HS Sohal and of Punjabi Poetry to Jaswinder Raja for their beautiful illustrations contributed to the publications.

The programme was aesthetically compered by Sardar B S Malik, Secretary of Punjabi Lekhak Sabha (Regd.), Chandigarh, whose anchoring added grace and gravitas to the event.

The event was jointly organised by Punjabi Lekhak Sabha (Regd.), and Saakaar Foundation, under the auspices of Punjab Arts Council, Chandigarh. It concluded with a resounding (standing) ovation for Dr SS Bhatti—Architect, Artist, Poet, Philosopher, Educationist—a true renaissance figure whose legacy continues to deepen and inspire across generations.

Chandigarh 15 August 2025:
We are the citizens of a free country due to the various movements held for the country’s Independence and the struggles made from time to time by Shaheed-e-Azam S. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, S. Kartar Singh Sarabha, Shaheed Udham Singh, Madan Lal Dhingra, Lala Lajpat Rai, Diwan Singh Kalepani and other freedom fighters. We are proud that Punjabis had made a lot of sacrifices during the country’s freedom struggle. These views were expressed by Cabinet Minister Shri Sanjeev Arora while addressing the district level Independence Day function held at Police Line Stadium, Sangrur.

He said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann took the oath of office at Khatkar Kalan, the native village of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, and at the same time decided that the pictures of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and the architect of the Constitution Babasaheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar should be installed in the Government offices. Mohali International Airport was also named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh and a statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh has also been installed there.

Expansion of Aam Aadmi clinics, new ambulances, free electricity, easy registry, cleaning of ponds and tanks in all villages, war against drugs, campaign against corruption, construction of rural playgrounds, giving preparation allowances to sportspersons before jobs and major sports competitions, health insurance of Rs 10 lakh for all and formation of industrialists’ committees for the development of industries of Punjab for the first time since Independence- these are major decisions of Punjab Government with which Punjab is taking steps towards adding feathers in his cap of progress, he added.

This year, the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib will be observed on a grand scale by the Punjab Government. State-level events will be organized from November 19 to November 25. Under the initiative of the Forest Department, there is a plan to plant 3.50 lakh saplings in each district during 2025-26 under ‘Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Hariyaval Sankalp’. Apart from this, 52 ‘Sacred Forests’ will be established as part of the ‘Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Pavitra Van’ scheme.

The Punjab Government has ensured uninterrupted power supply to agriculture for more than 08 hours during the current paddy season. Punjab has performed the best in the National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2024 and has secured the first position, surpassing states like Kerala. To further raise the standard of education, 118 government senior secondary schools are being converted into ‘Schools of Eminence’.

As part of the third phase of the “War Against Drugs” campaign, a unique anti-drug curriculum has been launched in all government schools for students of classes IX to XII, under which about 08 lakh students are being informed about the ill effects of drugs and how to avoid them. The Punjab Government has named 115 government schools after freedom fighters, martyrs and internationally renowned personalities.
The Punjab Government has launched the Business Blast program, under which students of class XI-XII are being encouraged to become entrepreneurs and start their own business and seed money of Rs. 10.32 crore was given to the students. For the first time in the state, a Business Blast Expo was organized at Ropar. In view of the demand for vocational training, the government has increased the number of seats in ITIs to 52,000, which was earlier 35,000.

The Punjab Government has taken a unique initiative to make Punjab a developed state in the industrial sector. 24 sectoral committees have been formed so that further improvements can be made in the industrial policy.

OTS scheme has also been implemented for industries, which has resolved the issues of industrialists that have been going on for decades. Apart from this, the policy of converting leasehold of industrial plots/sheds into freehold has also been implemented. Invest Punjab has established an online portal, under which all types of clearances will be given within 45 days for setting up any industry in Punjab.

Punjab has set a new record by registering a net 28.26 percent growth in GST revenue during the first four months of the financial year 2025-26. The net GST revenue till July of the current financial year has reached Rs 9188 crore, which is Rs 2025 crore more than the same period of the financial year 2024-25. This impressive performance is part of the state’s continuous trend of registering record-breaking year-on-year growth in tax revenue for the last three and a half years.

The ‘Bill Bacho, Enam Paho’ initiative, launched to reward vigilant consumers as well as further strengthen the state’s tax enforcement framework, witnessed a huge participation from the people under which a total of 1,76,832 bills were uploaded on the ‘Mera Bill App’ till July 2025. This resulted in 5,644 winners winning prizes worth over Rs 3.35 crore and fine of over Rs 9 crore being imposed against entities found guilty of irregularities in issuing bills.

The Punjab government has also made the labor laws for pro-worker. Apart from this, 1.55 lakh construction workers and their families have been covered under the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme.

In view of the upcoming paddy procurement season, adequate arrangements will be ensured till September 15. Preparations are in full swing on a war footing level for the procurement of 190 lakh metric tonnes of paddy.

This is the first time that a drive has been made to provide canal water to every farm. The expenditure on canal and water works has more than doubled in the last three and a half years, i.e. Rs 4557 crore, while only Rs 2046 crore was spent from 2019 to 2022.

The Punjab Government will start the process of filling 5000 vacant posts (workers and helpers) to strengthen Anganwadi centers in the month of September.
For Sangrur district, the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann has so far released about Rs 2287 crore 31 lakh for about 4917 different development works, with which a large number of development works in the district have been completed and a large number of development works are being carried out on a war footing level.

On this occasion, the Cabinet Minister Shri. Sanjeev Arora inspected the parade and distributed sewing machines and tricycles to the needy people and personalities who have made unique contributions in various fields were also honored. Freedom fighters and their heirs were also honored.

During this function, a grand march past was performed by the contingents of Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards and NCC Cadets from different schools. A cultural program was presented by the students of different schools. On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Shri Sanjeev Arora also attended the blood donation camp organized by the Lions Club and encouraged the blood donors.

Chandigarh/Patiala, August 15:

Punjab Power and Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO today hoisted the national flag during the 79th Independence Day celebrations at the Raja Bhalinder Singh Sports Complex, Polo Ground Patiala. Extending heartfelt greetings to the people of Punjab, he paid rich tributes to the freedom fighters, martyrs and warriors of various movements who laid down their lives for the nation’s independence. On this occasion, he honoured the descendants of freedom fighters, including Mohkam Singh Chauhan, with special felicitations.

Addressing the gathering, Harbhajan Singh ETO said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab is moving rapidly towards becoming a prosperous, happy and progressive state. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to fulfil the dreams of the martyrs and ensure the overall development of Patiala, which he said had been neglected by previous governments. The Minister highlighted that a ₹110 crore project under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme has been initiated in Patiala district for laying new lines, installing transformers and upgrading the power network to provide uninterrupted electricity supply to residents. He added that more than 55,000 youth have been provided jobs, the honorarium for the families of martyrs has been doubled from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore, and Agniveers have been brought under the ambit of this scheme. The government has also implemented 600 units of free electricity for households, eight hours of assured supply for farmers, and a ₹10 lakh health insurance cover for all.

Elaborating on infrastructure development, the Minister said that 2,173 km of new roads are being built at a cost of ₹2,130 crore, 34 bridges worth ₹185 crore have been completed, and 20 toll plazas have been shut to provide relief to the public. He pointed out that the purchase of the GVK-owned Goindwal Power Plant for ₹1,080 crore, which was named as Sri Guru Amardas Thermal Plant and the extraction of coal from the Pachhwara mines have saved the state ₹1,200 crore, besides strengthening the power sector.

Harbhajan Singh ETO also announced that the state will commemorate the 350th martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji from November 19 to 25 with great devotion, for which a special budget has been earmarked to develop religious sites related to the Guru Teg Bahadur ji. For Patiala alone, ₹80 crore has been sanctioned for the development of 35 such locations. He further highlighted the government’s strong action against drugs, which has led to the arrest of 25,000 smugglers, demolition of drug havens, and the launch of the ‘Baz Akh’ anti-drone system to curb cross-border smuggling. In agriculture, he said, reforms and diversification measures have resulted in a 70 percent reduction in stubble burning incidents this year compared to 2023, while canal water has been restored to tail-end fields after decades through the cleaning of over 18,000 khalas.

The Minister took the salute from parade contingents of the ITBP, District Police, NCC and other wings under parade commander DSP Fateh Singh Brar. Schoolchildren presented cultural performances, including Giddha and Bhangra, while students from Vani School rendered the national anthem in sign language. On behalf of the Red Cross, tricycles and sewing machines were distributed to the needy, and achievers from various fields were honoured. The event was attended by Lok Sabha MP Dr. Dharamvira Gandhi, MLAs Ajitpal Singh Kohli, Chetan Singh Jauramajra, Gurlal Ghanaur and Kulwant Singh Bazigar, PRTC Chairman Ranjodh Singh Hadana, Municipal Corporation Mayor Kundan Gogia, AAP’s state spokesperson for the war on drugs Baltej Pannu, Special DGP Arpit Shukla, DIG Kuldeep Chahal, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Preeti Yadav and SSP Varun Sharma, senior officials and dignitaries.

Chandigarh/Gurdaspur, August 15:

The 79th Independence Day was celebrated with pomp and show at the Shaheed Lieutenant Navdeep Singh (Ashok Chakra) Stadium of Government College, Gurdaspur, wherein Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management, Water Supply and Sanitation, Housing and Urban Development Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian hoisted the National Flag. Earlier, the Cabinet Minister paid floral tributes to the martyrs at the statue of Shaheed Lieutenant Navdeep Singh and at the martyrs’ gallery situated in the stadium.

While addressing the gathering during the district-level function, S. Hardeep Singh Mundian extended greetings to the people of Gurdaspur, saying that “We are inhabitants of a free country only because of the various movements and struggles waged for the nation’s independence by Shaheed-e-Azam S. Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Sardar Kartar Singh Sarabha, Shaheed Udham Singh, Madan Lal Dhingra, Lala Lajpat Rai, Diwan Singh Kalapani and other freedom fighters.” The Cabinet Minister categorically added, “We are proud that Punjabis made the maximum sacrifices during the nation’s freedom struggle.”

He said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann took oath of his office at Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh and that portraits of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and architect of the Constitution Baba Saheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar have been installed in government offices. Mohali International Airport has been named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh and a statue of Shaheed-e-Azam has been installed there.

Highlighting the state government’s achievements, the Cabinet Minister said that the state government is providing 300 units of free electricity every month to residents, resulting in zero bills for 90% of consumers. He said that the Mann government has so far provided government jobs to more than 55,000 youth. A total of 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics are successfully operating across the state and 200 more new clinics are being opened. Free medicines and free tests are conducted in these clinics.

S. Mundian informed, now the government has made a historic decision to provide health insurance of Rs.10 lakh for every state resident from October 2. He said that the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign is ongoing at war level and the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drugs and corruption.

While referring to the revenue reforms, the Cabinet Minister said that in the Revenue Department, nexuses were foiled by transferring officials from tehsildars to registry clerks. People are being provided convenient services through facilities such as Easy Registry and Easy Jamabandi. The state government has started 118 ‘Schools of Eminence’ and under the “Sikhya Kranti”, teachers have been sent abroad for specialized training.

S. Hardeep Singh Mundian further said that the state government is providing 100% piped water supply to rural households. He said farming is the backbone of our economy and the state government has revived 14,000 water courses to bring water to the tail ends.

He said that Punjab is the first state in the country to create a unique police force like Sadak Surakhiya Force (SSF), which is saving the lives of road accident victims. He said that investment is being promoted in the state and the OTS scheme has been introduced for industrialists. He said that a new sports policy has been created to develop a sports culture in the state. ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ has been started and sports nurseries and playgrounds are being built in villages. In the last three and a half years, prize money of Rs.100 crores has been distributed to winners of Olympics, Asian, Commonwealth and National Games.

S. Mundian said that the state government is providing financial assistance of Rs.1 crore to the family of the martyr.

He said that this year marks the 350th martyrdom day of the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, which the Punjab Government is going to celebrate on a grand scale with devotion.

He said that the Punjab Government is fully committed to the comprehensive development of Gurdaspur district. This border district has given Punjab and the country great renowned players, writers and soldiers. The state government has constructed ‘Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Interstate Bus Terminal’ in Gurdaspur at a cost of Rs14.92 crores. Besides this, an under railway bridge has been constructed on Tibbri Road at a cost of Rs.21 crores. A new tehsil complex and sub-tehsil office has been constructed in Dinanagar at a cost of Rs.9 crores. New tehsil complexes worth Rs.l6.61 crores in Kalanaur and Rs.11 crores in Batala have been constructed, which will soon be dedicated to the public. Nabipur drain has been concretized at a cost of Rs.5.70 crores. Over Rs.31 crores are being spent on health facilities at the district hospital. He said that 62 Aam Aadmi Clinics in the district are providing health services to district residents. The old closed civil hospital has been restarted and given the status of a Community Health Center. He said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government is determined to make the state ‘Rangla Punjab, Hasda Khelda te in Khushaal Punjab’ and continuous efforts are being made in this direction.

Earlier, S. Hardeep Singh Mundian, along with Deputy Commissioner Sh. Dalvinderjit Singh and SSP Sh. Aditya, inspected the parade contingents. Led by DSP Gurvinder Singh, Punjab Police personnel, women platoon, Punjab Home Guards, NCC contingents and Punjab Police band team performed a spectacular march past. During the ceremony, the Cabinet Minister specially honoured freedom fighters and their family members, war widows and martyrs’ family members. Tricycles and sewing machines provided by the District Red Cross Society were distributed to needy individuals. Students from various educational institutions of the district presented spectacular programs filled with patriotism and Punjabi culture.

The Revenue Minister also handed over appointment letters to 18 patwaris appointed in Gurdaspur district. Assistant Commissioner (General) Sh. Aditya Gupta was specially honoured for exemplary services during Operation Sindhur. Subsequently, the chief guest specially honoured officers, employees, social workers, teachers, doctors, players and others who performed commendable work in the district.

During the ceremony, S. Hardeep Singh Mundian’s wife Mrs. Simardeep Kaur, son Jashandeep Singh, daughters Agamdeep Kaur, Arshandeep Kaur, Komaldeep Kaur and nephew Prince Saini were also specially present.

District and Sessions Judge S. Dilbag Singh Jauhal, DIG S. Nanak Singh, Punjab Health Systems Corporation Chairman Sh. Raman Bahil, newly appointed District President and Chairman of District Planning Committee Gurdaspur Sh. Joban Randhawa, Lok Sabha constituency Gurdaspur in-charge and Chairman Town Improvement Trust Gurdaspur Sh. Rajiv Sharma, Sh. Shamsher Singh Dinanagar, Market Committee Gurdaspur Chairman Sh. Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Additional Deputy Commissioner (G) Dr. Harjinder Singh Bedi, Sub Divisional Officer Manjit Singh Rajla, SP Jugraj Singh, RTA Navjot Sharma, former PCS officer O.P. Varma and other officers and prominent personalities were also present on this occasion.

Tarntaran, August 15:

Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sports stadium here today became witness to the pump and show besides the patriotic fervour with which the 79th Independence Day was celebrated. The Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs, Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak hoisted the National Tricolour. The National Anthem was played and the jawans of Punjab Police presented the Salute. The Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak inspected the parade & took the Salute.

Congratulating the people on the momentous occasion, the Minister highlighted the achievements of the State Government and said that the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is fully committed to realize the dreams of the martyrs who made supreme sacrifice in order to rid the country of foreign yoke.

He said that the Mohali International Airport has been named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh and a statue of the martyr has been established there. Further, the State Government has given jobs to over 55000 youth and increased the ex – gratia amount for the heirs of the martyred jawans from Rs. 50 Lakh to Rs.1 crore. Also, 115 Government schools have been named after the freedom fighters, martyrs and eminent personalities. About 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics are providing excellent healthcare facilities to the people near their doorsteps. In order to ensure a successful paddy procurement season, the State Government is pulling out all stops and robust arrangements for procuring 190 LMT of paddy are being put in place. Also, the Punjab Government plans to plant 3.50 Lakh saplings in each District during 2025-26 in commemoration of the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.

A critical care block/trauma centre at the cost of Rs. 16 Crore in the Civil Hospital, Tarntaran would be dedicated to the service of the people by the year end. A 30 bedded mother child healthcare centre at Sub Divisional Hospital, Patti constructed at a cost of Rs. 7 Crore would be soon dedicated to the public.

The Minister on the occasion honoured the family members of the freedom fighters and martyred soldiers and distributed Tricycles to the needy people. He also honoured the eminent personalities for their achievements in various fields. He also announce Rs. 25 Lakh grant for constructing nature park at village Narli, the native place of Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s ancestors.

Among others present on the occasion included the MLA Khemkaran Sarwan Singh Dhun, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Rahul, DIG Rajpal Singh Sandhu, SSP Tarntaran Deepak Pareek, ADC General Rajdeep Singh Brar, ADC Development Sanjeev Sharma, Chairman District Planning Committee Gurvinder Singh Beharwal, Chairman Improvement Trust Tarntaran Rajinder Singh Usma, Director Administration PSPCL Jasbir Singh Sursingh.

Chandigarh/Ferozpur 15 August 2025:

A district-level Independence Day celebration was organized at the Cantt Board Stadium, Ferozepur Cantonment, in which the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan was the chief guest of the function and performed the ceremony of hoisting the national flag. On this occasion, he took salute from the contingents of BSF, Punjab Police, Punjab Police Women Wing, Punjab Home Guard, NCC, Scouts and Guides. Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma and S. Bhupinder Singh Sidhu were specially present on this occasion.

In his message to the residents of the district, the Chief Guest Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that our country has become independent due to the unique sacrifices/struggles of numerous martyrs and freedom fighters and we pay tribute to the freedom fighters and all the martyrs, heroes and warriors who participated in various freedom movements on this occasion. He said that the Punjab Government, which came into existence with the huge support of the people of Punjab, is carrying out all-round development of the state under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann. He said that the Punjab Government has taken historic decisions like eradication of corruption, drugs, Farishtay scheme and electricity waiver, which have yielded remarkable results.

He said that every part of the land of Punjab is full of sacrifices of martyrs and Ferozepur district has the honor of being the land of martyrs. He said that Punjabis made immense sacrifices in the country’s freedom struggle, which the entire country is proud of them. He said that the land of Ferozepur has been the main center of the activities of the great martyrs of our country.

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that the Punjab Government is implementing major schemes for the upliftment and development of every section of the state including education, health facilities, sports, farmers, labourers, traders and the common people. He said that Punjab will be made the leading state of the country in terms of development . He said that the Punjab Government has given 55 thousand Government jobs to the people of Punjab which have been given to the capable youths on the basis of pure merit without any recommendation. He said that while continuing the facility of free travel for women in Government buses, the Government has spent more than Rs. 470 crore for free travel on women of the state from April 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. He said that under the Education Revolution, infrastructure development projects worth Rs 2000/- crore have been spent in 12,000 Government schools of the state to bring about a revolutionary change in the education system. He said that the government has restored 79 canals covering a length of 545 km to provide water to every farm, which will provide canal water to 41,135 acres of land.
Earlier, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan also paid tribute to the national martyrs at Shaheedi Smarak Hussainiwala. On this occasion, he said that it is because of these great martyrs that we are enjoying freedom today.

In this event, personalities who have achieved laurels in various fields, freedom fighters, families of Kargil martyrs, sportspersons, students, prominent panchayats, officers, employees, etc. were honored by the chief guest. During the event, apart from a colorful cultural program reflecting patriotism, Punjabi folk dances Giddha and Bhangra were also performed.

Faridkot, August 15-

On the occasion of Independence Day, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann conferred state awards to 26 eminent personalities for their outstanding contribution in various fields besides bestowing Chief Minister’s Rakshak Padak on four police officers/officials and Chief Minister’s Medal for Outstanding Duty to 15 cops.

These state awardees included social activists, artistes, litterateurs, poets, environmentalists and government officials and others, who have made outstanding contribution in their respective fields in the larger public interests.

The Chief Minister conferred Certificate and award, during a state level function to mark Independence Day here today, to Dr Anupama Gupta (Amritsar), Master Tegbir Singh (Roopnagar), Sarupinder Singh (Patiala), Ratan Lal Soni (Hoshiarpur), Dr Hitender Suri (Fatehgarh Sahib), Gulshan Bhatia (Amritsar), Rifat Wahab (Malerkotla), Rama Munjal (Ludhiana), Baldev Kumar (Hoshiarpur), Apeksha (Bathinda), Gulzar Singh Patialvi (Patiala), Baldev Singh (Patiala), Balraj Singh (Hoshiarpur), Paramjit Singh Bakhshi (Jalandhar), Yuvraj Singh Chauhan (Ludhiana), Krishan Kumar Paswan (Bathinda), Advocate Rajiv Madan (Amritsar), Jaskaran Singh (Bathinda), Dr Pawan Kumar (Hoshiarpur), Dr Harbhans Kaur (Hoshiarpur), Dr. Raj Kumar (Hoshiarpur), Dr Mahima Minhas (Hoshiarpur), Nisha Rani (Hoshiarpur), Dr PS Brar (Kotakpura), Dr. Ravi Bansal (Kotakpura) and Dr. Abhinav Shoor (Jalandhar).

The Chief Minister also honoured four police officers/officials including Rajinder Singh ASI, Narinder Singh ASI, Senior Constable Jaswant Singh and Harpal Kaur with the prestigious Chief Minister’s Rakshak Padak. Bhagwant Singh Mann also conferred Chief Minister’s Medal for Outstanding Duty to 15 cops including Jatin Kapoor Inspector, Amalokdeep Singh Kahlon Inspector, Navneet kaur Inspector, Prabhjeet kumar Inspector, Lovedeep Singh SI, Gurmel Singh SI, Dimple Kumar SI, Sukhchain Singh SI, Satwinder Singh SI, Harjinder Singh ASI, Sandeep Singh ASI, Head Constable Sandeep Singh, Head Constable Iqbal Singh, Head Constable Karambir Singh and Head Constable Jagjit Singh.