CM Pays Obeisance at Tilla Baba Sheikh Farid

Exhorts People to Follow the Footsteps of the Great Sufi Saint

Faridkot, August 15:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday paid obeisance at Tilla Baba Sheikh Farid and urged people to follow in the footsteps of the revered Sufi saint.

Paying floral tributes to Baba Sheikh Farid, the Chief Minister described him as one of the greatest spiritual ambassadors, a poet-prophet, and the founder of the Sufi tradition in India. He said that Baba Farid ji is regarded as the father of Punjabi poetry, and that his philosophy—centered on love, compassion, equality, humility, brotherhood, and freedom—remains timeless and universally relevant. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Baba Sheikh Farid’s Bani, comprising 112 shalokas and four shabads, was incorporated into the Sri Guru Granth Sahib by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is a cosmopolitan scripture representing all faiths and is a vast repository of knowledge and wisdom, serving as a guiding light for all of humanity. He said that when we bow our heads in reverence before the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, we also pay homage to Baba Farid along with the great Gurus—with the same devotion and respect. Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the life and teachings of Baba Farid are especially relevant in today’s materialistic society.

The Chief Minister said that Baba Farid’s teachings continue to inspire future generations to serve humanity with dedication and humility.Urging the people to follow the path shown by Baba Farid Ji, he said that doing it would help transform Punjab into the number one state in the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann said gthat he felt blessed to have had the opportunity to pay homage at this sacred site, sanctified by the footprints of Baba Farid Ji.

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Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema Hoists Tricolor at 79th Independence Day Celebration in Rupnagar

Chandigarh / Rupnagar, August 15 -The 79th Independence Day was celebrated with great fervor at a district-level event in Nehru Stadium, Rupnagar, where Finance, Planning, Excise, and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema hoisted the national flag.

Following the flag hoisting, Minister Cheema, escorted by Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Walia and Senior Superintendent of Police Gulneet Singh Khurana, inspected the parade. Led by DSP Jashandeep Singh Maan, contingents from the Punjab Police (male and female), Punjab Home Guards, various schools, and a band participated in the march past.

Addressing the gathering, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema extended his greetings to all residents on the occasion of the nation's 79th Independence Day. He paid tribute to the freedom fighters, including Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Sardar Kartar Singh Sarabha, Shaheed Udham Singh, Madan Lal Dhingra, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Diwan Singh Kalepani, whose struggles secured the country's freedom. He proudly stated that Punjabis have made the most sacrifices in the freedom struggle.

Finance Minister Cheema highlighted the state government’s commitment under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to restore Punjab to its former glory. He noted that in honor of the freedom fighters, the Mohali International Airport was named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh, and his statue was installed there. Furthermore, portraits of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar have been placed in all government offices.

He further emphasized the government's significant achievements in education, health, and employment. The Punjab Government has provided more than 55,000 government jobs. In the National Achievement Survey 2024, Punjab’s education system ranked first, surpassing states like Kerala. This year, 848 government school students qualified for NEET, 265 for JEE (Main), and 45 for JEE (Advanced).

In the health sector, Finance Minister Cheema announced revolutionary changes. Currently, 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics are operational, offering 107 types of medicines and 47 lab tests free of cost. He also announced that a health insurance scheme of up to ₹10 lakh for every family will be implemented from October 2. This scheme, which requires only an Aadhaar and voter card to avail, will cover medical expenses for all citizens of Punjab, regardless of income. Around 30 million people are expected to benefit from this initiative, which includes impanelment of 552 private and all government hospitals, with plans to add 500 more hospitals soon.

Finance Minister Cheema honoured the district's freedom fighters and veterans with shawls, calling them the pride of the nation whose sacrifices allowed citizens to enjoy freedom today.

The event featured a vibrant cultural program with performances including choreography, dances, and gidda by students from various schools. The Sports Department of Rupnagar presented a skit on 'Freedom from Drugs' prepared by Rupnagar's Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Dr. Sanjeev Kumar.

Impressed by the band performance of Shivalik Public School, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced a grant of ₹15 lakh for the school.

A play titled "Yudh Nashian Virudh," written by SDM Dr. Sanjeev Kumar and performed by students of Government Senior Secondary School, Phulpur Grewal, was also presented. Moved by the performance, Minister Cheema led all attendees in an anti-drug pledge and personally contributed ₹21,000 from his salary to the school. The program concluded with the national anthem, performed by the students of Shiwalik Public School.

The event concluded with Finance Minister Cheema honouring individuals who have excelled in various fields, social workers, and district administration officials for their dedicated service with commendation certificates.

The ceremony was attended by Rupnagar MLA Advocate Dinesh Chadha, Sri Chamkaur Sahib MLA Dr. Charanjit Singh, Rupnagar Range Commissioner Gurpreet Kaur Sapra, and a host of other dignitaries and officials.

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79th Independence Day celebrated with pump & show at Police line ground

Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak hoists National Tricolour

Announces Rs. 25 Lakh worth grant for Nature Park at Narli, village of ancestors of Shaheed Bhagat Singh

Honours families of freedom fighters & martyred soldiers

Gives Tricycles & Sewing Machines to needy people

Chandigarh/Tarntaran, August 15:Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sports stadium here today became witness to the pump and show besides the patriotic fervour with which the 79th Independence Day was celebrated. The Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs, Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak hoisted the National Tricolour. The National Anthem was played and the jawans of Punjab Police presented the Salute. The Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak inspected the parade & took the Salute.

Congratulating the people on the momentous occasion, the Minister highlighted the achievements of the State Government and said that the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is fully committed to realize the dreams of the martyrs who made supreme sacrifice in order to rid the country of foreign yoke.

He said that the Mohali International Airport has been named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh and a statue of the martyr has been established there. Further, the State Government has given jobs to over 55000 youth and increased the ex - gratia amount for the heirs of the martyred jawans from Rs. 50 Lakh to Rs.1 crore. Also, 115 Government schools have been named after the freedom fighters, martyrs and eminent personalities. About 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics are providing excellent healthcare facilities to the people near their doorsteps. In order to ensure a successful paddy procurement season, the State Government is pulling out all stops and robust arrangements for procuring 190 LMT of paddy are being put in place. Also, the Punjab Government plans to plant 3.50 Lakh saplings in each District during 2025-26 in commemoration of the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.

A critical care block/trauma centre at the cost of Rs. 16 Crore in the Civil Hospital, Tarntaran would be dedicated to the service of the people by the year end. A 30 bedded mother child healthcare centre at Sub Divisional Hospital, Patti constructed at a cost of Rs. 7 Crore would be soon dedicated to the public.

The Minister on the occasion honoured the family members of the freedom fighters and martyred soldiers and distributed Tricycles to the needy people. He also honoured the eminent personalities for their achievements in various fields. He also announce Rs. 25 Lakh grant for constructing nature park at village Narli, the native place of Shaheed Bhagat Singh's ancestors.

Among others present on the occasion included the MLA Khemkaran Sarwan Singh Dhun, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Rahul, DIG Rajpal Singh Sandhu, SSP Tarntaran Deepak Pareek, ADC General Rajdeep Singh Brar, ADC Development Sanjeev Sharma, Chairman District Planning Committee Gurvinder Singh Beharwal, Chairman Improvement Trust Tarntaran Rajinder Singh Usma, Director Administration PSPCL Jasbir Singh Sursingh.

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Laljit Singh Bhullar hoists flag on 79th I-Day in Mansa

—Road Safety Force assisted in 35 thousand road accidents in state, Laljit Bhullar

—Punjab jails equipped with state-of-the-art security systems, Jail Minister

Chandigarh/ Mansa, August 15:79th Independence Day was celebrated with full spirit and enthusiasm at multipurpose sports stadium of Government Nehru Memorial College, Mansa wherein Punjab Transport & Jail Minister Laljit Bhullar was the Chief Guest.

A. Bhullar, after inspecting the parade and taking salute from the parade, addressed the gathering and extend his heartfelt congratulations to area residents. He said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Singh Mann has taken very important steps for the families of freedom fighters and soldiers. He said that Punjab government has increased the monthly pension of freedom fighters and their heirs from Rs 9400 to Rs 11000. Ex-gratia amount for the heirs of martyred soldiers has also been increased from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore.

Speaking about the road safety of people, he said that the Road Safety Force has provided assistance in about 35 thousand road accidents beside providing first aid to 15, 406 persons on the spot and transporting 19,162 injured persons to hospitals for medical care instate.

Divulging details about improvement in education sector in Punjab, he said that Punjab government is converting 118 government senior secondary schools into 'Schools of Eminence' and 115 government schools have already been named after freedom fighters, martyrs and internationally renowned personalities. Infrastructure development projects worth Rs. 2,000 crore have been dedicated to the people in 12,000 government schools of the state.

S. Bhullar said that the state government is running 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics in the state to provide first-class health services to the people, in which 107 types of medicines and 47 types of lab tests are done absolutely free. The government has plans to open 200 more Aam Aadmi Clinics in the future.

He said that Punjab government's 'war on drugs' has driven drug traffickers out of the state. He said more than 25,000 arrests are made in state and demolishing the houses of drug smugglers has proved that there is no place for drug peddlers in Punjab. He also said that Punjab's jails have been equipped with ultra-modern systems like new X-ray baggage scanners, CCTV cameras and more.

State-of-the-art security including jamming system

The Minister paid special tributes to the families of freedom fighters and war veterans and met their families during the occasion.

The personalities who made outstanding achievements were also honoured during the occasion.