Aparna Banerji
Khatkar Kalan, September 28
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today said state awards will be accorded to 46 youth achievers in the name of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and a chair in the name of Bhagat Singh will be established at the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.
The CM made these declarations on the 115th birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, while addressing a gathering at the state level function held at the Martyr’s Memorial at Khatkar in Nawanshar on Wednesday.
The ceremony was started with the paying of ceremonial tributes to Bhagat Singh’s statue. The CM offered tributes and a salute to Bhagat Singh at the decked up venue, amidst the scheduled 24 cop-contingent’s formal salute. Notably, this is the first state level event of the government being held at Khatkar Kalan after the oath taking ceremony of the CM nearly six months ago.
Speaking on the occasion, Mann declared, “On the occasion of Saheed Bhagat Singh’s birth anniversary, I declare to resume state awards for youth achievers in the name of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Each will get Rs 51,000 cash award and a certificate. A chair in the name of Bhagat Singh will also be established at the Guru Nanak Dev University.”
He also announced a huge 5D statue of Bhagat Singh at the Mohali airport which has recently been named after the martyr by the Prime Minister.
Speaking on the occasion, Mann said we enjoy freedom and luxuries due to Bhagat Singh’s sacrifices, but leaders today want others to make sacrifices. Taking a dig at the Congress, he said the country has had two PMs who awarded themselves the Bharat Ratna.
Mann said, “On the issue of the Bharat Ratna Award in the parliament, I had said to the speaker that Bharat Ratna Award should be given to those who were actually a Ratna (gem) for the country. Last signatures on the Bharat Ratna Award are of the Prime Minister. You’ll be surprised, there have been two such PMs who signed on it, awarding it to themselves. Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. This is on record. I said award should go to those like Bhagat Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Udham Sungh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, then the award’s honour will increase.”
He further said, “We (Punjab) have freed ourselves from those who looted the country. May the rest of the country be also be freed, then Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s spirit will get peace.”
He also added, “It is our work to protect democracy. Those who divide people in the name of religion, saying ‘I’m not this and you’re not that’. Rise above them. Even as you see on television debates ndash; steer clear of those who have never talked of unemployment, contractual employees, new jobs, need to build school, colleges and universities. They do Mandir- mazjid and Hindu-Muslim 24 hours a day. We are above these things. The Malerkotla Nawaab who had protested the execution of the Chote Sahibzadas, was rewarded with protection of Muslims in riyasat 1947. Because he had spoken for the Guru’s children. If someone extends love to us, we reward it.”
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at a function in Khatkar Kalan.
