Martyrs remembered at I-Day events in Mohali, Panchkula

Punjab Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian and Haryana Minister for Women and Child Development Shruti Choudhry hoisted Tricolour at the 79th Independence Day celebrations in Mohali and Panchkula, respectively.

After hoisting the National Flag at Shaheed Major (Shaurya Chakra) Harminder Singh Government College, Khuddian paid homage to the sacrifices of India’s freedom fighters, adding that the people of Punjab made several sacrifices during the struggle.

He also announced state-level programmes from November 19–25 to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib and the conservation of Todar Mall’s historic house at Fatehgarh Sahib as chalked out by government.

Speaking on the development front, the minister announced that Mohali will soon have the state’s first Bio Fertilizer Lab, followed by Gurdaspur and Bathinda.

Along with Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal and Senior Superintendent of Police Harmandeep Singh Hans, he inspected the Independence Day parade led by Deptuy Superintendent of Police Jatinder Singh Chauhan.

Five Veer Naris were honoured by Minister, and the district administration greeted freedom fighter Gurdev Singh at his residence. Tributes were also paid to martyr Major Harminder Pal Singh (Shaurya Chakra), after whom the Government College is named.

The celebrations featured tableaus from various departments, cultural performances by school students, NCC cadets’ participation, and a National Anthem recital by special students from Government Primary School, 3B1.

Choudhry, meanwhile, hoisted the National Flag at the district-level celebrations held at Parade Ground, Sector 5, Panchkula. Extending greetings to citizens, she saluted the soldiers guarding India’s borders and paid homage to martyrs at the War Memorial in Sector 12.

Inspecting the contingents of Haryana Police and NCC, the Minister took the salute at the march-past.

Addressing the gathering, Choudhry said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India had scaled new heights. “From the 11th position in 2014, our economy is now advancing towards becoming the third largest in the world,” she remarked, expressing confidence that both Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini would lead the nation and state to greater development.

The minister stressed that the state government was committed to the welfare of soldiers and their families, providing compassionate jobs to dependents of martyrs and establishing training centres in Charkhi Dadri, Hisar and Yamunanagar for youth aspiring to join the armed forces.

Highlighting welfare measures, she said that 24-hour power supply, clean drinking water, and multiple schemes for farmers, workers and women had transformed the state. Compensation worth Rs 15,645 crore had been provided to farmers for crop loss, alongside extensive water conservation projects such as 2,088 Amrit Sarovars and new water bodies under the Atal Bhujal Yojana.

Speaking on women’s empowerment, Choudhry referred to initiatives such as the Chief Minister’s Milk Gift Scheme, Working Women’s Hostels, Creche Policy, Women’s Helpline 181, Haryana Kanya Kosh and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana. Anganwadi workers are now entitled to retirement benefits of Rs 2 lakh, and assistants Rs 1 lakh.

The celebrations featured a march-past by Haryana Police, Home Guards, NCC and Scouts and Guides, and spirited cultural performances by schoolchildren. Women aged 25 to 75 presented a patriotic finale under the leadership of Madhu Sharma.

Choudhry also honoured descendants of freedom fighters, families of fallen soldiers, and the winners of parade competitions, besides felicitating outstanding students, sportspersons, social workers and employees.

Chandigarh Mayor hoists National Flag at MC event

Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla hoisted the National Flag at a function held at Municipal Corporation to mark the Independence Day. Amit Kumar, Commissioner; Pardeep Kumar, Special Commissioner; Jasbir Singh Bunty, Senior Deputy Mayor; other councillors and prominent persons of city were present on the occasion.

The mayor shared achievements and visionary steps that are transforming Chandigarh into a clean, green, smart and future-ready city.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chandigarh unit president Jitender Pal Malhotra hoisted the National Flag at the party office in Sector 33 and extended greetings to all party workers and city residents. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu and former BJP city president Sanjay Tandon were present as special guests.

Youth add festive flair to celebrations

The youth celebrated the Independence Day with enthusiasm, with various events being organised at the educational institutes across the district. Besides, students also performed at the event organised by the district administration in both Mohali and Panchkula and the UT administration in Chandigarh.

Panjab University held the celebration event at the campus parade ground. The event commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by Vice Chancellor Renu Vig. She highlighted the achievements of the university and emphasised the role of faculty and mentors in guiding the newly admitted students towards purposeful academic and personal growth.

The event, themed “Mera Desh Mera Mulk,” featured an march-past by PU Security, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers and students, followed by patriotic cultural performances by students from the Music Department, GGS Vidya Mandir, and Ankur School.

Third-year MBBS students took centre stage at the Dr BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences celebrations. A student-led symposium on Primary Health Care (PHC) was organised by the Department of Community Medicine, while students also presented innovative solutions for equitable access, preventive care and digital innovations in healthcare.

The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research also celebrated Independence Day with fervor. Director Dulal Panda hoisted the National Flag, followed by recitation of the National Anthem.

He said the Centre of Excellence for Anti-Viral and Anti-Bacterial Drug Discovery and Development, was establishing global center in Anti-Viral and Anti-Bacterial and already working on 34 projects under this mandate.

Rayat Bahra University Chancellor Gurvinder Singh Bahra and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Director Anil Kumar Tripathy also hoisted the Tricolours at the respective institutes.

SCL Director-General Kamaljeet Singh also hoisted the National Flag and lauded employees for their contributions toward Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He shared that 15,000-plus devices have been delivered during this year.

The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Mohali shared information regarding the Free Legal Aid Scheme implemented by the Government under Article 39-A of the Constitution of India to safeguard the rights of the poor and weaker sections of society through a tableau.

The tableau, an initiative of District and Sessions Judge Atul Kasana, highlighted that citizens from weaker sections are provided legal representation under the scheme.