DW BUREAU / Firozpur Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi whole-heartedly welcomed PM Modi's decision to observe 26th December (Guru GuruGobind Singh Jayanti) as Veer Baal Diwas and said that Prime Minister is a benevolent person who considers all religions as equal. In his statement praising Modi,Rana said that "PM's gifts to Punjab are exemplary. Even though he couldn't come to Firozpur, we are eternally grateful to him for launching two new medical colleges in Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur, which was a long standing demand of the people." Rana casts his mind back to old times and fondly remembers his bosom friend and a kind-hearted person, former President of Punjab BJP, Late Kamal Sharma Ji. It was his dream of establishing this PGI's Regional Center which has now been completed through PM's capable hands and this, he said, was our true tribute to him. Sodhi requested the PM to visit Ferozepur again and witness it's sorry state of affairs. He pleaded the PM to look into the conditions of Ferozepur, which is still lagging behind in terms of development even after so many years of Independence. Being a border area, there is no industry here and due to lack of employment, the youth here is moving to abroad for better opportunities. Today, the situation is such that about 60 per cent of the youth from this area has settled abroad. Rana humbly requested him to therefore announce an industry package for this sector. He also asserted that Punjab has fought a long battle against terrorism. For the new Punjab that the PM has dreamt of, Hossainiwala border needs to be opened. Hossainiwala border is the place of martyrs on which every countryman pays his respects. He propounded, "The border can bring prosperity to the area, if it is opened for trade. It is necessary to open this bridge as a trade route to Pakistan and Afghanistan." Furthermore, Rana beseeched the PM to address the conditions of Punjab which is in the grip of drugs. The youth, he said, has become addicted to drugs and this addiction has harmed youth even in Malwa region, and thus, Punjab expects and looks forward to his help. Rana also appreciated PM Modi's withdrawal of the three agricultural laws and said that by this generous act, he has also exposed those who disturbed the peace of Punjab. He commended the PM and said, "Only a person who has a great persona as Prime Minister Modi can take such decisions. It is said that a great person is the one, who makes his people feel greater. This big step has made every Punjabi's chest swell with pride." (editor@dailyworld.in)