Chandigarh, March 22-
The Punjab Vidhan Sabha, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution to request the Government of India (GOI) to name the upcoming International Airport at Indian Air force Station Halwara, Ludhiana as Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha International Airport.
The resolution was moved by the Chief Minister today during the session of the Punjab Assembly.
The Chief Minister said that this will be a humble tribute to the iconic martyr who laid down his life at the altar of the motherland. He said that this young martyr had been an inspiration for the young generations since ages to work for their country selflessly. Bhagwant Mann said that the great martyr played a pivotal role in emancipating the country from the clutches of foreign imperialism adding that as an active leader of Ghadar party he worked untiringly for attaining freedom first abroad and then within the country.
The Chief Minister said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government, the Mohali International Airport has already been named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh adding that naming of Halwara airport after Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha will be a humble tribute to the martyr. Bhagwant 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 naming these institutions after great national leaders can inspire our youth for selfless service towards the country.
Batting for conferring Bharat Ratna award to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha and other legendary martyrs who had sacrificed their lives during the national freedom struggle, the Chief Minister said that bestowing the Bharat Ratna award to these legendary martyrs will enhance the prestige of this award. He said that these great martyrs really deserve this award because they had made supreme sacrifices for emancipating the country from foreign clutches. Bhagwant Mann bemoaned that unfortunately this award has not been bestowed to these leaders even after the passing of more than 75 years of independence.
Training his guns against the Congress leaders for boycotting the session when this important resolution is being passed, the Chief Minister said that this is grave disrespect towards these iconic leaders. He said that the awardees for this coveted award are selected by a high level committee led by the Prime Minister of the country. However, Bhagwant Mann quipped that ironically two past Prime Ministers from the Congress party had recommended their own names for this prestigious award.
The Chief Minister also announced a holiday to mark the death anniversary of the legendary martyr. He said that the necessary formalities regarding this will be completed by the state government in the coming days. Bhagwant Mann also profusely thanked the MLAs of opposition including Manpreet Singh Ayaali, Ashwani Sharma and Nachattar Pal for taking part in healthy debate on the issue and supporting the state government on bill.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also announced that the state government will soon complete the construction work of the civil air terminal at Halwara airport and the domestic flights will commence from it by May end or June. He said that this work is already going on in full swing and will be accomplished at a cost of around Rs 50 crore over an area of 161 acre. Bhagwant Mann said that this project will further put Punjab on the map of air connectivity and save time, money and energy of the commuters adding that it will facilitate the entrepreneurs from Ludhiana thereby giving impetus to socio-economic growth of the state.
