Ludhiana: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the people to avow for eradicating the social evils of drug addiction, female foeticide, and dowry on one hand and checking environmental degradation on the other to ensure ‘Punjab as a clean, green and pollution free state’.
Addressing a mammoth gathering on the state level function of 67th Independence day after unfurling the tricolor here at Guru Nanak Stadium, the Chief Minister underscored the need to launch a vigorous awareness campaign to stamp out these social and environmental maladies from the state so as to cherish the aspirations of our freedom fighters and patriots, who dreamt of a nation sans illiteracy, unemployment, poverty and starvation, in post independence era.
Without mincing any words, the Chief Minister said the successive centre governments had vehemently failed to deliver the goods effectively for reasons best known to them adding he said but one thing was crystal clear that it all happened due to lack of will and commitment for the welfare of the countrymen in general and the disadvantaged sections of society in particular.
Paying glowing tributes to the great martyrs and several unsung heroes who spearheaded several movements to free our motherland from the yoke of foreign imperialism, the Chief Minister said that the supreme sacrifices made by Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai and Kartar Singh Sarabha would ever act as a lighthouse to imbibe the spirit of patriotism and nationalism amongst the future generations.
Earlier, the Chief Minister accompanied by Director General of Police Mr. Sumedh Singh Saini and Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana Mr. Rahul Tiwari, inspected the parade led by parade commander DSP Mr. Akashdeep Singh Aulakh and took a salute during an impressive march past by 17 contingents of Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, Punjab Armed Police, 3rd NCC Punjab Girls Battalion, 19th NCC Punjab Boys Battalion, Bharat Scouts and Guides besides the Punjab Police Brass band and other school bands. The students of various local schools presented a colorful variety program including Bhangra, Gidha, Group Dance, PT show and group singing.