DW Bureau |  Ludhiana: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday paid floral tributes to freedom fighter Kartar Singh Sarabha on his martyrdom anniversary, and announced development projects worth Rs 45.84 crore for a complete facelift of his native village. 

Addressing the state-level event, the Chief Minister said that as a mark of respect to the martyr, development works worth Rs 45 crore 84 lakh will be undertaken in Sarabha village to provide basic infrastructure, clean drinking water, sports facilities, defence training, and other amenities. He said that this would be a true tribute to the martyr, adding that the state government will leave no stone unturned to develop this great martyr’s native village as a model village. On this occasion, Bhagwant Singh Mann also paid homage to the companions of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Vishnu Ganesh Pingle, Bakhshish Singh, Jagat Singh, Surein Singh (Senior), Shaheed Harnam Singh Sialkoti and Surein Singh (Junior) who were also executed on the same day.

The Chief Minister said that Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha was one of India’s youngest revolutionaries, who sacrificed his life at the tender age of 19. He said that despite being so young, Kartar Singh Sarabha’s selfless service to the nation continues to inspire generations. Bhagwant Singh Mann added that the young martyr played a crucial role in freeing the country from foreign imperialism.

The Chief Minister said that as an active leader of the Ghadar Party, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarbha worked tirelessly first in abroad and then in India for India’s freedom. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had took oath as Chief Minister at the ancestral village of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Khatkar Kalan, and that his government is fully committed to realising the dreams of the martyrs. During the event, the he exhorted Punjabis to participate in the commemorative events being organised at Sri Anandpur Sahib from November 23-25 to mark 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

The Chief Minister said that on this historic occasion, the Punjab Government is organising light and sound shows, Nagar Kirtans, drone shows, Kirtan Darbars, and other programmes to ensure that the life and teachings of Guru Sahib reach every household. He added that all Punjabis are fortunate to witness this historic moment adding that everyone should participate in these events. Earlier, Bhagwant Singh Mann also visited the ancestral home of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha and paid floral tributes.

The Chief Minister said that Rs 40 crore will be spent on widening the existing two-lane road from Lalto Kalan to Sarabha, Raikot and Halwara into a four-lane road. He said that this road will directly connect to Halwara Airport. 

Similarly, Rs 2 crore 82 lakh will be spent on a surface water supply scheme, Rs 2 crore on a 10-metre indoor shooting range with a target safety setup, Rs 10 lakh on the renovation of the basketball ground, and Rs 3 lakh on developing a volleyball court and constructing six concrete benches at the sports ground. Additionally, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Rs 89 lakh will be spent on upgrading the Forest Nursery with modern technology adding that a training academy for security and police forces will also be established, which will include a derelict MiG-21 aircraft from the Air Force Academy for pilot and drone training.