On Bhagat Singh’s 118th birth anniversary, 2-day Inquilab Mela begins today

A two-day ‘Inquilab Mela’ to mark the 118th birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh at his ancestral village Khatkar Kalan will begin with a cycle rally starting from ITI Ground, Nawanshar, tomorrow.

The festival — being held on September 28 and 29 — will be marked by tributes to the freedom fighter, honouring his family members, and a cultural programme in which prominent Punjabi singers — including Kanwar Grewal, Jasbir Jassi and Rani Randeep — will perform.

The festival had been announced over a month ago, and CM Bhagwant Mann was supposed to mark his presence at the event.

With the CM undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mohali, the festival, on Saturday, is set to be presided over by Minister for Tourism and Culture Affairs Tarunpreet Singh Sond.

As per the state Tourism Department’s website, the festival celebrates the memory and legacy of ‘Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh’ and aims to honour his sacrifices to inspire the youth with his ideals of patriotism and social justice.

The festival will start off with the cycle rally. The Tourism Minister will pay his tributes to the martyr, and deliver a formal speech at the event.

Members from Bhagat Singh’s family will also be honoured on the occasion.

As part of the event, a cultural programme marked by patriotic choreographies, Bhangra, Giddha performances and performances by singers Kanwar Garewal and Kulwinder Billa will be held. On the second day, performances will be held by singers Jasbir Jassi, Rani Randeep and Karamjit Anmol.