PAYS HOMAGE TO SHAHEED UDHAM SINGH IN A STATE LEVEL FUNCTION TO MARK HIS MARTYRDOM DAY
ANNOUNCES SEVERAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR SUNAM WORTH Rs 22.59 CRORE
Sunam/ Udham Singh Wala (Sangrur), July 31-
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday said that it is unfortunate that the descendants of traitors, who sided with the Britishers, during Indian freedom struggle, are now questioning the credentials of martyrs.
Addressing the gathering here during a state level function to mark martyrdom day of Shaheed Udham Singh here today, the Chief Minister said that no one has any right to pose question mark over the contribution of great martyrs for their motherland. However, he said that it is unfortunate that those who swear by constitution to enjoy fruits of power raise question mark on the supreme sacrifice of martyrs. Bhagwant Mann reminded the people that when our great national heroes and martyrs were waging war against the atrocious British regime some traitors were siding with the imperialist forces.
The Chief Minister said that those people who had felicitated Britishers had bruised the psyche of every freedom fighter and martyr. Bhagwant Mann said that it is unfortunate that descendants of such traitors are now questioning the credentials of martyrs. He said questioning the credentials of martyrs to eulogize the atrocities of Britishers is a sin and those indulging in such heinous acts are doing an unpardonable crime.
The Chief Minister said that great martyrs like Shaheed Bhagat Singh do not need recognition from anyone because merely his name is enough to inspire millions of people to sacrifice their lives for country. He said that any controversy on his name and contribution in freedom struggle is undesirable. Bhagwant Mann said that these martyrs had laid their lives for the freedom of country and no one has any right to question his role in Independence movement.
Training his guns against former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, the Chief Minister reminded the people that royal family of Patiala has a lineage of anti-Punjab stance. He said that the hands of kings of Patiala were drenched with the blood of countless patriots who attained martyrdom during days of national freedom struggle. Bhagwant Mann categorically said that what good of Punjab can be expected from these people who were hand in glove with the Brithishers at the time when Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Udham Singh and others were fighting for the country.
The Chief Minister said that he bows on this sacred land of Sunam where this great son of the soil was born. Describing Sunam as his second home, Bhagwant Mann said that he was lucky to have born and studied here. He also recalled his long association with his friends and teachers of the area adding that he used to pay homage at this place with his father as a child.
Paying rich tributes to Shaheed Udham Singh, the Chief Minister said that this true son of soil had in a heroic act exhibited exemplary courage by killing Michael O’ Dwyer, the prime perpetrator of Jallianwala Bagh massacre. He said that the supreme sacrifice made by this son of the soil at the altar of national freedom struggle helped the country to overthrow the yoke of British Imperialism. Bhagwant Mann also recalled the unparalleled sacrifice made by legendary martyrs like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Udham Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha and others during the Indian freedom movement.
The Chief Minister said that as an artist whenever he went to London he used to visit the Caxton Hall where Shaheed Udham Singh had took the revenge of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. Bhagwant Mann said that this hall is of immense significance for all of us as it reminds us of the heroic deed of the martyr. He said that this hall will ever remain as a source of inspiration for our younger generations to fight against tyranny, oppression and injustice.
Listing the main achievements of the state government in short time span, the Chief Minister said that they have passed One MLA, One Pension bill, freed 9053 acre of prime land from illegal encroachers, provided 600 units of free power per billing cycle to every section of society as a result of which 51 lakh households out of total 74 lakh will get zero electricity bill in September and 68 lakh household will get zero power bill in January. Likewise, he said that 75 Mohalla clinics will be dedicated to people on coming Independence Day where people will get quality health and diagnostic services free of cost. Responding to demands raised by Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, Bhagwant Mann also announced key development projects worth Rs 22.59 crore Sunam including stadium at ITI Sunam (Rs 1.66 crore), new Sub Tehsil complex (Rs 4.46 crore) and bus stand (Rs 5.07 crore) for Cheema, new bus stand (Rs 2.54 crore) and stadium (Rs 3.58 crore) for Longowal and sewerage system worth Rs 5.28 crore for Sunam.
The Chief Minister, while interacting with media, said that all out efforts will be made to bring back the belongings of all the martyrs on their motherland. Bhagwant Mann said that he will flag this issue with the Union government and ensure that the things associated with the martyrs are brought back to India. He said that the belongings of martyr along with their life, philosophy and sacrifice will ever inspire the youth to serve the country selflessly.
Addressing the gathering, Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said that following on footsteps of the martyrs the state government is taking revolutionary steps for the progress of state and prosperity of its people. He said that despite of acute financial constraints, the state government is taking path breaking initiatives for well being of people. Cheema said that no stone will be left unturned for development of the state.
In his address Cabinet Minister Aman Arora recalled the supreme sacrifice made by Shaheed Udham Singh to emancipate the country from the clutches of foreign imperialism. Aman Arora said that he is fortunate to have got opportunity of serving this sacred land as a representative of people. He said that earlier governments had looted the people as Britishers but on contrary Punjab Chief Minister is serving the state with true missionary zeal. Aman Arora also raised the demand of various development projects before the Chief Minister.
Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer also paid tributes to Shaheed Udham Singh. He said that Shaheed Udham Singh could have lived a comfortable life but he chose martyrdom for the sake of country. Meet Hayer said that Shaheed Udham Singh laid his life for the sake of coming generations of the country.
Earlier, the Chief Minister also paid homage at the memorial of Shaheed Udham Singh and laid the foundation stone of stadium at local ITI to come at Rs 1.66 crore on the name of the martyr.
During the function, the Chief Minister also felicitated the family members of Shaheed Udham Singh.
On the occasion, Cabinet Ministers Harpal Cheema, Aman Arora and Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, MLAs Jaswant Singh, Varinder Goel, Narinder Kaur and Kulwant Pandori, AAP leader Gumail Garachon, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Kumar Amit and others were also present
