DW BUREAU / Khatkar Kalan

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday said the state government is making efforts to fulfil the dreams of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, saying no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause.

Addressing the gathering during a state-level function to mark the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev here, the Chief Minister said this is not a political function but a solemn occasion to pay tributes to the great martyrs, who had sacrificed their lives for the sake of motherland. He said the government is making concerted efforts to perpetuate the legacy of these legendary martyrs for the coming generations.

The state government has decided to construct Shaheed Bhagat Singh Medical College at a cost of Rs 300 crore as a tribute to these martyrs.

The Chief Minister reminded that due to efforts of the government, the Mohali airport has been named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

He said none of the previous government had bothered about naming this airport after the great martyr but after assuming the charge of office his government accorded top priority to it.

CM Mann said that naming the airports, universities and other institutions in the name of these iconic martyrs is important to perpetuate their glorious legacy.

The Chief Minister also said his government has dedicated the Nishan-e-Inquilaab plaza to people which houses a 30-foot-high bronze statue of Bhagat Singh on the airport road in Mohali.

He said the statue has been installed so that the iconic martyr is remembered every moment anyone travels on that road.

CM Mann hoped that such efforts would act as a lighthouse for the visitors coming from within the country and abroad by apprising them about the role of this legendary martyr. The Chief Minister reiterated that the government is leaving no stone unturned for cherishing the aspirations of the great martyrs.

He said whenever any dignitary from within the country or abroad visits the state, he makes it a point to remind them to pay homage to this sacred land.

CM Mann bemoaned that the dreams of Shaheed-e-Azam still remain unfulfilled as corruption, nepotism and poverty still rule the roost.

The Chief Minister said that unfortunately those who came into power after Britishers plundered the country more mercilessly than the foreigners. Citing an example, he said that the souls of these martyrs must have been shocked when they see huge loads of cash being recovered from houses of the high officers and judges. Bhagwant Singh Mann said how justice can be expected from such tainted people who had amassed huge wealth through unfair means.

The Chief Minister said that these martyrs had not laid their lives so that such rampant corruption was prevalent in the country. He said that the state government is making strenuous efforts for realizing dreams of the martyrs adding that since assuming charge of office after taking oath from here in March 2022 his government provided free power to households from the month of July after which 90% of them are getting free power.

He said that for the first time the state government has purchased a power plant from a private firm to make the state surplus in power production.

The Chief Minister said that 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened across the state where more than three crore patients have got free treatment. Likewise, he said that the state government has given government jobs to more than 52,000 youth completely on the basis of merit. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that till now 18 Toll plazas have been closed in the state adding that with the closing of these toll plazas Rs 63 lakh is being saved from the pocket of the common man in Punjab daily.

Paying respects to the Chief Architect of Indian constitution Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar, the Chief Minister that as per the ideology of Baba Sahib, the state government is empowering the weaker sections of society by imparting quality education to them. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that though Baba Sahib hailed from a humble family he went to join the league of top global leaders by acquiring education. He said that 'Schools of Eminence' will realize the dreams of Baba Sahib by grooming the poor but bright students for a prosperous future.

The Chief Minister said that as per the aspirations of great nationalists, the state government is duty bound to ensure the progress of the state and prosperity of its people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the day is not far away when due to concerted efforts of the state government, Punjab will soon emerge as a front runner state across the country.

(editor@dailyworld.in)