JALANDHAR -
Punjab Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rouri on Tuesday asserted that Punjabis had led the country's independence movement from the front and made immense contributions in the battle against British rule.
After unfurling the national tricolour during the 77th I-Day function district-level function organized at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium, Rouri said that Punjabis had suffered several hardships in the form of violence, imprisonment,, hanging, and injustice during the freedom struggle.
He said that the entire nation would ever remain indebted to all martyrs, brave freedom fighters, and valiant soldiers, who made supreme sacrifices to defend the country’s unity and integrity.
He also said that several freedom movements like Kuka, Pagri Sambhal, Gadar, Babbar Akali, and others were originated from Punjab and later spearheaded in the entire country. He said our brave Punjabi soldiers had been safeguarding the borders of the country.
Listing landmark decisions taken by the Punjab Government, The Deputy Speaker said that it had been giving Rs one crore as ex-gratia grants to the families of soldiers who got martyred while performing duties as a mark of respect for their supreme sacrifice.
He said that the government had also started financial aid for the Armed Forces personnel in cases of physical casualty during service besides enhancing the ex-gratia of physically disabled soldiers and hiking the financial assistance of no pensioner ex-servicemen.
The Chandigarh airport was renamed Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport as a tribute to the freedom fighter. The government also restarted Shaheed Bhagat Singh Youth Awards being given every year to youth for their outstanding contribution in several fields.
Earlier, the chief guest took a salute during an impressive march past.
The march past was followed by a patriotic colourful cultural program presented by students of different institutions of various schools. He also honoured the kins of freedom fighters and handed over awards to police personnel and participants in the parade. He also distributed tricycles among specially-abled people and sewing machines to the needy. He also gave awarded 230 personalities for their excellent services.
Prominent amongst those present included Lok Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Rinku, MLA Raman Arora, Divisional Commissioner Gurpreet Kaur Sapra, ADGP Amardeep Rai, Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Sarangal, Commissioner of Police Kuldeep Singh Chahal, Punjab State Container and Warehousing Corporation Chairperson Rajwinder Kaur Thiara,