CM Badal wows to fight social evils on R Day

Mohali, January 26

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday appealed to all the political parties, NGOs, voluntary and social organisations to launch a crusade against the social evils, especially the drug menace, during his address to mark the 66th Republic Day celebrations here.

Badal said the decisive battle against the social maladies such as drug addiction, female foeticide, environmental pollution, unemployment, illiteracy and economic disparity should be fought.

Addressing a gathering after unfurling the national tri-colour on the occasion of country's 66th Republic Day at a State level function in Government College here, he appealed people to "rise above petty considerations of party affiliations and trivial interests to make Punjab as the leading state in the country."

87-year-old Badal asked the countrymen "to make a firm resolve on this historic day to make our country secular, republic, democratic and federal to the core so that we can cherish the aspirations of our founding fathers of Indian constitution."

The five-time Chief Minister appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that "for the first time a sincere attempt has been made to demonstrate inclusive development in true spirit by eliciting the views of Chief Ministers of all the states in formulating the policies and programmes in a wide spectrum by scrapping the earlier Planning Commission of India (PCI) and now replacing the same with NITI Aayog.."                

He said that now the Chief Ministers would have far more effective representation. Recalling the enormous contribution of Punjabis in the national freedom struggle, Chief Minister Badal cited that more than 80 per cent people who were either martyred, exiled or imprisoned for life term belonged to Punjab.

"Our brave Punjabi soldiers have always safeguarded the integrity of country from the external aggression and internal disturbances besides the hard working and resilient Punjabi farmers made the country self-reliant in food production despite having just 2.5 per cent of country's total area," he further said.

The Chief Minister said that Punjabis were all the more proud for this sacred land "from where the pivotal movements of freedom struggle like Kuka, Pagri Sambhal, Ghadar, Gurdwara Reform, Babbar Akali and others were spearheaded."    

On the occasion, the Chief Minister took salute from an impressive parade comprising the contingents of Punjab Armed Police, Police Band and NCC.

The Chief Minister also gave away tricycles to the physically challenged and sewing machines to the poor and needy women, an official release said here.

A colourful variety programme by the school children and a series of tableaux depicting the overall development of the state also formed star attraction of the event here.

The Chief Minister honoured 16 eminent personalities in recognition to their outstanding contribution in the different fields by the Punjab Government and District Administration.

Honouring the freedom fighters and their next of kin, he conferred 'Mukh Mantri Rakhshak Padaks' to the seven police personnel towards their outstanding dedication for duty.

PTI