Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and National Convener of Aam Aadmi Party Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday renewed their pledge to further realize the dreams of martyrs by ensuring welfare of every section of society.
Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone of projects worth around Rs 85 crore to give facelift to Shaheed Udham Singh wala town, the National convener of AAP said that Shaheed Udham Singh made a supreme sacrifice for the sake of the freedom of the country. Arvind kejriwal said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for him to be part of this function to pay tribute to the iconic martyr. He said that India’s freedom struggle saw countless sacrifices for the sake of the country to carve out an egalitarian society to ensure welfare of the weaker and underprivileged sections.
However, the National Convener of AAP said that it is unfortunate that even after 75 years of freedom none of their aspirations have been fulfilled as those in power misused their authority to plunder the wealth. He said that previous regimes ruined Punjab by spreading the curse of drugs and corruption adding that they people mercilessly looted the public money for safeguarding their own interests. Arvind Kejriwal said that schools and hospitals were in shackles as these governments never bothered about providing quality health services and education to the youth of the state adding that drugs were introduced in the state by these leaders, which ruined our generations.
The former Delhi Chief Minister said that it is elated to learn that the backbone of the drug has been broken for which the state government needs a pat. He said that the manner in which this anti-drug campaign has been launched finds no parallel in contemporary Indian history. Arvind Kejriwal said that the most notorious and feared drug lord has been put behind the bars by an honest government in the state.
The National convener of AAP said that no one had ever dared to touch this influential political leader, who was instrumental in introducing and spreading the drug in the state. However, Arvind Kejriwal said that the state government has done exemplary work against drugs and have put the kingpin of drug trade behind the bars. He said that exemplary action will be taken against such people who have ruined the future of our coming generations adding that none of them will be spared for such heinous crimes.
The National Convener said that Punjab has seen revolutionary changes in every sector under the regime of Bhagwant Mann led state government as schools are being upgraded, hospitals are getting facelifts, canal water is reaching the farmers, 20,000 kilometre rural roads and others are being constructed. He said that an honest government is leaving no stone unturned to realize the aspirations of the martyrs by judiciously utilizing every single penny of government money adding that there is no dearth of funds for this noble cause. Arvind Kejriwal warned the people that if Congress or Akali-BJP ever return to power in the state they will again derail the ongoing development in Punjab through their misdeeds.
In his address, the Chief Minister said that it is the duty of the state government to pay tributes to such legendary martyrs who had laid down their lives for the sake of the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that naming the airports, universities and other institutions in the name of these iconic martyrs is important to perpetuate their glorious legacy. He said that the countrymen are enjoying the fruits of freedom due to the enormous sacrifices made by legendary heroes like Shaheed Udham Singh.
The Chief Minister said that Shaheed Udham Singh was a true son of soil, who had in a heroic act exhibited exemplary courage by killing Michael O’ Dwyer, the prime perpetrator of Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Bhagwant Mann said that the unprecedented sacrifice made by this iconic martyr at the altar of national freedom struggle helped the country to overthrow the yoke of British Imperialism. He further said that Shaheed Udham Singh waited for 21 years to avenge the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh and thus laid the foundation of the freedom of the nation.
The Chief Minister said that Shaheed Udham Singh killed Sir Michael O’ Dwyer in Caxton Hall adding that the Britishers conferred the title of Sir to their stooges. He said that one such title was given to the family which organized dinner for General Dyer on the same day when he conducted the barbaric Jallianwala Bagh massacre in April 1919. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that scion of this traitor family, which was involved in the drug trade, has been now lodged in the Nabha jail by the state government for ruining generations of Punjab.
The Chief Minister said that he had been regularly paying visits to the Caxton Hall where Shaheed Udham Singh had taken revenge on millions of Indians. He said that it is unfortunate that even after more than 75 years of freedom the benefits of freedom have still not reached every household. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those in power had misused the freedom to spread the tentacles of chitta (drugs), amass wealth by plundering the masses, encouraging corruption along with other menaces.
The Chief Minister said that the successive Prime Ministers have delivered almost the same statements during their Independence Day speeches from the Red Fort. He said that it is the irony of the country that these leaders have delivered only theatricals to the people and masses are still far away from even basic amenities. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the dreams of martyrs like Shaheed Udham Singh have still not been realized as these people have never made any concerted effort in this regard.
The Chief Minister said that the Aam Aadmi Party is making tireless efforts to realize the dreams of the legendary martyrs adding that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that this government is making concerted efforts in this regard. He said that every inch of this sacred land has the footprint of great Gurus, saints, seers and martyrs, who have shown us the way to oppose tyranny, injustice and oppression. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has been making efforts to ensure the comprehensive development of the state and prosperity of its people.
The Chief Minister further said that Arvind Kejriwal is credited for bringing sectors like health, education, employment, power, water and infrastructure at the centre stage of national politics. He said that these sectors are the top priorities of his government and no stone is being left unturned for it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that while the other political parties have always pursued the agenda of hatred and divisiveness, AAP under Kejriwal had given new direction to politics by according top priority to these sectors.
Highlighting another major welfare initiative, the Chief Minister spoke about the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna — the first-of-its-kind scheme in the country that provides cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab. He proudly stated that Punjab is the first Indian state to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage, which will significantly ease the financial burden on the public while ensuring quality health services. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this historic move is aimed at providing universal health care to all the families of the state.
The Chief Minister said that 55,000 government jobs have been given so far to the youth of the state, Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened to impart quality health services to people, schools have been renovated across the state, canal water is reaching at the tail ends to benefit the farmers, 90% households are getting free power adding that several more pro-people initiatives are being taken. He said that Punjabis are born entrepreneurs and leaders due to which they have excelled in every arena across the globe adding that the hard work and resilience of the Punjabis is unmatched owing to which they shine in every sphere. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is making all out efforts to utilise this spirit properly for progress of the state and carve out a ‘Rangla Punjab’.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister and Arvind Kejriwal felicitated the descendents of Shaheed Udham Singh.
Earlier, the Cabinet Minister Aman Arora welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries to the sacred land.
Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Harpal Singh Cheema, Lalji Singh Bhullar, Dr Ravjot, Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Barinder Kumar Goyal and Hardeep Singh Mundian, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, Deputy Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Jai Kishan Singh Rouri, MLAs Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi, Jagdeep Kamboj Goldy, Prof Baljinder kaur and others were also present.
