Chandigarh, April 26:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday handed over cheques worth Rs 1 crore as financial assistance to the distressed family members of the four brave hearts who had had attained martyrdom on April 20, during the service of nation at Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister visited the native houses of these martyrs including Havildar Mandeep Singh at Village Chankoian Kacan District Ludhiana, Lance Naik Kulwant Singh at Village Charik District Moga, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh of Village Talwandi Bharath District Gurdaspur and Sepoy Sevak Singh Village Bagha District Bathinda. During his visit, Bhagwant Mann offered his condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed to Almighty for granting eternal peace to the departed soul. Handing over cheques worth Rs 1 crore to the distressed families as a mark of respect for the supreme sacrifice made by these heroes for the country, he said that the entire country is indebted to these martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country and its people.
The Chief Minister said that this humble initiative of the state government is in recognition of the immense contribution of these sons of soil towards preserving the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country. Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to help the families of the soldiers who sacrifice their life at the altar of the motherland, he said that it is the bounden duty of the Punjab government. Bhagwant Mann said that financial assistance to these families of martyrs is in consonance with the commitment of the state government to ensure the well being of the soldiers and their families.
The Chief Minister said that jobs to the family members will be given after due consultation with the Armed forces who too have their policy for giving jobs on compassionate grounds. Bhagwant Mann expressed hope that this healing touch of the state will go a long way in helping the aggrieved family on one hand and securing their future on the other. Likewise, he envisioned that it will also encourage the youth to join the Armed forces to serve their motherland in a selfless manner.
The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great pride that these brave hearts had displayed utmost dedication to defend the country’s unity and their sacrifice will ever inspire his fellow soldiers to perform their duties with far more devotion and commitment. He recalled that Punjabis had played a vanguard role in emancipating the county from the clutches of British imperialism. Likewise, Bhagwant Mann said that now the Punjabis are playing a major role in preserving the unity and integrity of the country by defending its borders.
Meanwhile, at village Talwandi Bharath in Gurdaspur, the Chief Minister announced to name a government school in the village after the martyr Sepoy Harkrishan Singh besides spending Rs 73.50 lakh on construction of the stadium and upgradation of dharamshala in the village. Bhagwant Mann said that the estimates of these works are ready and work on these will be started very soon.
Similarly, at village Charik in Moga, the Chief Minister announced to name a government school in the village after upgrading it in the name of martyr Lance Naik Kulwant Singh besides constructing a playground in his native village. He said that it is a matter of great pride that Lance Naik Kulwant is second generation martyr from his family as earlier his father Havaldar Baldev Singh too had sacrificed his life while safeguarding the country. Bhagwant Mann said that the statues of both the martyrs will be installed in the campus of the upgraded school, which will be named after Lance Naik Kulwant Singh.
At village Bagha District Bathinda, the Chief Minister announced the construction of a government school in the name of Sepoy Sevak Singh. Likewise, he said that the existing stadium in the village will also be upgraded and a statue of the martyr will also be installed in it. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government will also take necessary steps for sprucing up the infrastructure in the village of the martyr.
At village Chankoian Kacan district Ludhiana, the Chief Minister announced to name the school in village after Havildar Mandeep Singh. He also said that the road leading to village from Doraha will also be strengthened and named after the martyr. Bhagwant Mann also said that the state government will explore the feasibility of setting up a stadium in the name of martyr.
