Take vow to ensure India’s growth: Bajwa

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 16

Cabinet Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa hoisted the national flag at a district-level Independence Day function organised at the Multipurpose Sports Stadium here on Thursday.

Saluting the heroes of the nation, the minister said on the 73rd Independence Day, the people should take a vow to ensure the development of the country. Remembering Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Udham Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Lala Lajpat Rai and others, he said Punjabi had always remained ahead of others in sacrificing their life for the independence of our country.

The minister said Capt Amarinder Singh-led Congress government in the state was duty-bound to put the state on a high growth trajectory. He said due to the concerted efforts of the state government, Punjab would emerge as a front ranking state in the country.

Bajwa said the state government was fighting against drugs and free treatment was being given to youth addicted to drugs. He said the state government was celebrating the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev with much fanfare in the state. To commemorate the 550th birth anniversary, the government was planting 550 saplings in each and every village in the state.

After hosting the national flag, Bajwa inspected the parade comprising contingents of the Punjab Police, Home Guards, NCC cadets (boys and girls) and scouts and guides of various schools.

Later, students of various schools presented a cultural programme comprising patriotic songs, giddha and bhangra. Besides this, tableaux showcasing works of various departments were also taken out.

Besides freedom fighters, people with exceptional achievements in various fields were honoured in the function.

Bucho MLA Pritam Kotbhai, DC B Srinivasan, IGP MF Farooqui, SSP Dr Nanak Singh and other district administration officials were present on the occasion.

Some freedom fighters staged a protest during the Independence Day function and they left the function when the function was under way. They alleged that step-motherly treatment was being meted out to them by the state government. They alleged that they were invited only at the August 15 and January 26 functions. On the other hand, the government paid no heed to their long-pending demands.

Even Sikh organisations, including SAD Amritsar, Dal Khalsa, United Akali Dal and Punjabi Maa Boli Satkar Sabha, celebrated Independence Day as a black day in the city. They took out a protest march with black flags in their hands. They said in the last 72 years, justice had not been done to minorities, including Sikhs.