Minister ETO recalls state’s sacrifices in freedom struggle on Republic Day
Highlights initiatives in welfare schemes, honours 134 individuals from diverse fields
The city witnessed a vibrant district-level Republic Day celebrations at Punjab Agricultural University’s athletic sports ground, where Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO unfurled the national flag. He was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain and Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma while inspecting parade contingents.
Extending greetings to residents, he recalled that on January 26, 1950, the Indian Constitution came into force, establishing the Republic of India and giving us pride as the world’s largest democracy. The minister paid tributes to Dr BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution.
Over 3,000 students from various schools presented colourful cultural performances while police, NCC, Scouts and Guides and Army personnel participated in the march past. The minister, accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner and Police Commissioner, inspected the parade and honoured 134 individuals from diverse fields, including senior officials, employees and police personnel.
Harbhajan Singh ETO highlighted Punjab’s sacrifices in the country’s freedom struggle, reiterating Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s directive to display martyrs’ portraits in government offices.
He announced that Tata’s second-largest steel plant in the country, after Jamshedpur, was being established in Ludhiana, which was a matter of pride for the region. He also pointed out Ludhiana’s major contribution to the state, securing first place in North India for MSME registrations in 2022–23.
The minister also emphasised initiatives in health, education, women’s welfare and anti-drug campaigns, citing schemes such as free bus travel for women, free electricity for households and the establishment of ‘Schools of Eminence’. The minister said the Halwara airport was ready and flights would commence soon, providing convenience to residents. He praised the PAU as a guiding light for farmers, which helped the country achieve self-sufficiency in food grains. He also announced the start of cleaning work on the Buddha Nullah, a long-standing issue for Ludhiana.
Highlighting welfare measures, he mentioned enhanced ex-gratia payments for martyrs’ families, pensions for freedom fighters and initiatives to preserve Punjab’s spiritual and cultural heritage. He outlined schemes in education, health, employment, women’s welfare, anti-drug campaigns and infrastructure development, including free bus travel for women, free electricity for households and farmers, scholarships for students and the establishment of Aam Aadmi Clinics.
The minister stressed on government’s fight against corruption, drug trafficking and gangsters while also focusing on road safety, administrative reforms and citizen-centric services.
AAP leaders stage walkout over ‘disrespect’ in Khanna
In contrast, Khanna’s official Republic Day function saw a controversy as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders staged a walkout. They alleged that no seating arrangements were made for key representatives, including Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh’s personal assistant Mahesh Kumar, district council members and local councillors. Calling it a violation of protocol and disrespect to elected representatives, AAP leaders expressed outrage and left the venue in protest.
