-Health Minister Flags Off 16 Trucks of Relief Material on Behalf of Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann from Patiala
– Spirit of Humanity Shines as Patiala Sends Relief to Severely Flood-Hit Areas: Dr. Balbir Singh
Patiala, September 8:
Continuing the state government’s sustained efforts to provide timely support to families affected by the recent floods, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh today flagged off a fleet of 16 trucks carrying essential relief material from Patiala, on behalf of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann.
The relief consignment, arranged with the wholehearted efforts of the Rice Millers’ Association, includes silage for animals, 5,000 ration kits containing essential food supplies, medical kits, oral rehydration salts (ORS), drinking water bottles, mosquito repellents (odomos), and various other daily-use items. These trucks are being dispatched mainly to the flood-ravaged districts of Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and other border areas, which have borne the heaviest impact of the calamity.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Balbir Singh said that this noble initiative reflects the unyielding spirit of Punjab, where communities rise above their own hardships to extend a helping hand to those in greater need. He pointed out that although Patiala district too has faced challenges due to flooding, its people and institutions have chosen to reach out to their brethren in the worst-affected districts. “This act of compassion is a true testimony to the values of humanity and brotherhood that define Punjab,” he remarked.
The Health Minister especially appreciated the Rice Millers’ Association for stepping forward during this critical time and generously arranging the entire fleet of 16 relief trucks. At the same time, he acknowledged the continued cooperation and support being extended by Punjab Mandi Board Chairman S. Harchand Singh Barsat, Director Food and Civil Supplies & consumer affairs Varinder Kumar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Patiala Dr. Preeti Yadav, Chairman Punjab and President All India Rice Miller association Tarsem Saini who along with the district administration have been playing a crucial role in coordinating various relief measures and ensuring timely help for the affected people.
Dr. Balbir Singh further underlined that under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has been relentlessly working on both immediate relief operations and long-term recovery measures. Mobile health camps, veterinary services, food distribution, and rehabilitation packages are being implemented in the affected regions to minimize the suffering of the people. He assured that the state government will leave no stone unturned to restore normalcy, protect livelihoods, and rebuild the affected communities with resilience.
He also appealed to social and religious organizations, industrialists, and NGOs to continue extending their cooperation in this mission, stressing that collective action is the strongest answer to natural calamities. “The floods may have tested us, but our unity, compassion, and determination will ensure that we emerge stronger,” Dr. Balbir Singh said.
On the occassion SDM Patiala Harjot Kaur, Punjab President Gurdeep Singh Cheema, Sham Lal Dhelwan, Bhola Singh, Naresh Kumar, Surjeet Dhillon, Gurjant Singh, Dilbagh Singh, Amarjeet Singh, Chaman Lal, Roshan Lal, Sanjeev Shelly, Inderjeet Singh Sandhu, Rakesh Kumar, Ajaib Singh Jawandha, Iqbal Singh Saran, Gourav Goyal, Vicky, Narinder Garg, Kuldeep Sohria, Jaskaran Singh, Rakesh Kumar, Gurdeep Singh Kakrala, Paramjeet Singh, Shiv Kumar, Lakhvir Singh Dablan, Anish Jindal, Surjeet Singh Shahi, Satwinder Saini, Tarsem Bansal, Sanjeev Tanda also present.
