77th Independence Day Speech by Banwarilal Purohit, Governor Punjab and Administrator Chandigarh
The Voice of Chandigarh :
77th Independence Day Speech by Banwarilal Purohit, Governor Punjab and Administrator Chandigarh
Sisters and Brothers,
On this sacred occasion of Independence Day, I extend my greetings to all Indians and especially to the residents of Chandigarh and Punjab. I also convey my best wishes to the armed forces, members of Indian missions abroad, and overseas Indians who continue to uphold the honor of our motherland.
As I address you on this significant occasion, I am filled with joy. India has completed 76 years as an independent nation.
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, and countless other Indians contributed significantly to the liberation of our country. I salute them all. Many young individuals like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Kartar Singh Sarabha, and Madan Lal Dhingra laid down their lives during the freedom struggle. Remembering all these martyrs, I pay my respects to their noble sacrifices.
Today, India is progressing proudly on the path of development. We are witnessing rapid economic growth. We are harnessing the demographic dividend, our population advantage.
We need to emerge as global leaders swiftly.
Since taking over as the Governor and Administrator of UT Chandigarh, I have been speaking at various events about honesty, transparency, and efficiency. These are not hollow words. We need to be true to ourselves and our nation.
Our country is a big family, and we are all its trustees. Anyone working against the nation is not only disrespecting the present population but also jeopardizing the future of generations to come.
Hence, it is crucial that patriotism resides in our thoughts and concerns for the people of India remain in our hearts.
When we celebrate Independence Day, we also celebrate our ‘Indianness’.
Our country is diverse, yet there’s a thread of unity that binds us all. This common thread motivates us to move forward together and walk with the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.
In Chandigarh, I have always seen a glimpse of Mini-India. We have initiated the tradition of celebrating ‘State Formation Day’ at the Raj Bhavan. People from various communities of Tamil, Telugu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and other states have participated enthusiastically. Everyone has enjoyed celebrating each other’s state formation day.
I am confident that the people of Chandigarh will continue to set an example of participation on the path of governance, development, progress, and well-being. Chandigarh, a city that exemplifies progress and innovation, has played an important role in shaping our nation’s destiny. With visionary plans and unwavering commitment to continuous development, Chandigarh has emerged as an exemplary progressive city.
The efforts of Chandigarh residents towards creating a greener and more sustainable future are truly commendable. The city’s unwavering commitment to becoming carbon-neutral presents itself as a stellar example of environmental management. By embracing green initiatives and promoting eco-friendly practices, Chandigarh beautifully showcases the harmonious coexistence between urban development and nature.
It fills me with pride to announce that Chandigarh has emerged as a top solar power generator among all the Union Territories. Acknowledging the work done by Chandigarh Renewable Energy, Science & Technology Promotion Society (CREST), during the monsoon session of the Parliament, the Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Shri R.K. Singh, praised the initiatives undertaken by the administration. The Administration’s goal is to implement various solar power projects, such as Floating, Canal Top, Parking Sheds, Rooftop installations, and more Grid Connected SPV Power Plants, which will collectively enhance the total installed capacity up to 75 (MWp).
Chandigarh has successfully implemented the Electric Vehicle Policy, which offers financial incentives to applicants in various categories to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles. Over 100 diesel buses have been successfully replaced with electric buses, and from now on, only electric vehicles will be procured by government departments.
A Green Non-Motorised Transport Corridor spanning 7.5 kilometres has been constructed in Chandigarh. This corridor aims to provide a dedicated path for pedestrians and cyclists, contributing to a safe and environmentally friendly route across the entire city. Furthermore, plans for another Non-Motorised Transport Corridor are also underway in Chandigarh.
Promoting environmental awareness, Chandigarh has launched the largest Public Bike Sharing Project in northern India.
For the significant development of Tricity, I’m delighted to announce that Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana have collectively approved the Comprehensive Mobility Plan. The successful implementation of the Comprehensive Mobility Plan will revolutionize transportation infrastructure, providing numerous benefits to Tricity residents through various means.
I express my heartfelt gratitude for the positive outlook and support from the states of Punjab and Haryana, which will contribute to making this visionary project a reality. Working together, we are collectively committed to creating a greener and more people-friendly Tricity, which will serve as inspiration for other cities in our country’s continuous journey of development.
Through the implementation of the Integrated Command and Control Center project, Chandigarh has embarked on a transformative journey, providing significant benefits to the city’s residents. By centralizing Utilities, ITMS, and City Surveillance under a Single Point of Contact, this initiative has streamlined civic services.
Furthermore, notable progress has been achieved in critical areas such as wastewater treatment and water supply. With numerous Sewage Treatment Plants nearing completion, a pathway has been established to reuse approximately 30% of treated wastewater, providing benefits to the community.
The 24×7 water supply pilot project in Manimajra has already offered substantial benefits to thousands of citizens, addressing challenges related to water supply. The Legacy Waste mining project highlights an effective effort toward waste management and land improvement. Scientific handling of residual waste at the sanitary landfill site has strengthened our commitment to preserving the city’s natural environment.
I have directed my team to promptly address the backlog of refuse-derived fuel at the Daddu Majra site. I assure the residents of Daddu Majra that we are dedicated to accelerating this process and managing the disposal of remaining legacy waste from the mining site.
In the field of school education, the Chandigarh Administration is actively working to enhance the quality of education and institutional framework. Several new initiatives have been launched to promote digital education and skill development among students. According to the National Education Guidelines, we are working to provide Home Based Education to children with disabilities.
In the realm of higher education, Chandigarh has taken significant steps to strengthen its educational institutions. The global recognition of the foundational structure of Chandigarh colleges speaks volumes about their popularity. Postgraduate College Sector 46 and Postgraduate College for Girls Sector 42 will soon receive new hostel blocks. By promoting a culture of innovation and creativity, we are empowering young thinkers and change-makers who will contribute to the social and economic development of the country. I commend the collective efforts of teachers, students, and stakeholders who play a pivotal role in shaping Chandigarh’s educational landscape.
Dear brothers and sisters,
As responsible citizens of this great nation, I urge all of us to recognize our duties. Acknowledging the importance of a strong voter list, Chandigarh has initiated widespread re-verification for electoral roll through door-to-door screening. This endeavor ensures that our voter list remains up-to-date, accurate, and comprehensive, allowing every citizen to exercise their voting rights with confidence. I appeal to all residents of Chandigarh to participate in this process and contribute in this democratic exercise.
I am proud to share that our Health Department is dedicated to creating a model of excellence in healthcare service for the entire nation. Under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, our Health Department has successfully launched five new Urban Health and Wellness Centres. These centers, categorized as Active Urban Health and Wellness Centres, have expanded the availability of quality healthcare services to our citizens.
Additionally, our goal is to upgrade all Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) to provide an extended range of services, including tele-consultation. This will allow patients to access healthcare services closer to their homes, reducing the burden on Secondary and Tertiary Care facilities.
We have devised a Green Channel plan for inter-hospital referrals between prestigious institutions like PGIMER, GMCH-32, GMSH-16, UCHC-22, UCHC-45, and SDH Manimajra. This channel will ensure seamless communication and organized referral processes, facilitating swift and safe transfers for patients in cases of emergencies, trauma, stroke, gynecology, and pediatrics.
Our continuous effort is to make our existing systems even more citizen-centric. Under the ease of doing business, the administration is actively working to establish an online single-window system to reduce the burden of regulatory compliance. Nearly a thousand compliances have been reduced in this regard. I encourage the citizens of Chandigarh not only to utilize online services but also to provide valuable suggestions to make them even better.
We have been digitizing most of the public-centric services at all Government offices and the process is still undergoing. From faceless service for applying driving licence to adopting the ‘mPassport Police APP’ for passport verifications and launching the online e-awas Chandigarh Police house allotment system, we have taken steps towards digitization that simplifies the citizen centric services.
We have taken significant steps for upgrading our sports facilities for our budding sportspersons who endeavour to bring laurels for the country at national and international stage. Administration’s unflinching thrust on providing top notch nurturing and training facilities to all sportspersons has been successfully met with an equally focussed approach to stridently maintain and augment all sporting facilities, in full adherence to globally accepted standards.
I feel proud in sharing we have built a strong sports ecosystem in the city. Recently, we have been awarded with silver medal in 13th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2023 held at Odisha. My heartiest congratulations to all the winners. In recognition of the remarkable achievements of our sportspersons, the Sports Department has honoured the winners with Cash Awards as a token of our Administration’s gratitude and appreciation. Our Sports Policy, encompassing enhanced Cash Awards, Scholarship Amounts, and simplified Gradation provisions has already been drafted and will soon be implemented. This policy has been designed to evolve with time, incorporating the needs and aspirations of our sportspersons in their pursuit of global recognition and glory.
I am pleased to announce the successful recruitment of 89 positions within the Chandigarh Housing Board. The selection process, which included written examinations and thorough scrutiny of documents, was conducted with utmost transparency. These new appointees will be joining their respective roles in the coming month of August 2023, and we look forward to their valuable contributions in serving our city.
Chandigarh Police has been actively involved in various commendable initiatives to foster a safer and more accountable community. Through the “Urja: Ek Nayi Kiran” project, they are working to create a Child Friendly & Drug-Free Community in vulnerable areas. Another notable endeavour is the Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism, “SAMVEDNA CAMP,” for providing accessible and transparent channels for public grievances redressal.
Furthermore, the Police Force has been dedicated to its recruitment drives, with new Assistant Sub-Inspectors joining and ongoing recruitments for Constables. Welfare initiatives for employees and their families, such as welfare pensions and financial support for marriages, showcase the administration’s commitment to their well-being.
Additionally, the establishment of the Chandigarh Centre of Excellence in Road Safety (CCERS) and the implementation of the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) project highlight their focus on road safety. I commend the Chandigarh Police for their remarkable efforts in ensuring safety, transparency, and welfare in the community. Their vision and dedication play a crucial role in building a harmonious and secure city for all its residents.
Sisters and Brothers
I extend my respect and congratulations to the countless individuals who have shaped and uplifted this nation in every era, whose names may not be recorded in history but have contributed significantly.
As we move forward into the 100th year of independence – the era of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, I urge all of us to dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly and with diligence to our efforts, so that the upcoming generation can feel proud of being citizens of a powerful and respected India.
I wish you all a heartfelt Independence Day.
I hope that each of you will actively participate in the programs organized to celebrate the Festival of Freedom in Chandigarh, including ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ and the ‘Amrit Kalash Yatra,’ and reaffirm your commitment to the progress of the nation. Let’s collectively advance towards a clean, green, and more prosperous Chandigarh with a shared perspective.
I conclude with the lines of Jai Shankar Prasad:
इस पथ का उद्देश्य नहीं है
श्रान्त भवन में टिक जाना
किन्तु पहुंचना उस सीमा तक
जिसके आगे राह नहीं है।
Thank you and Jai Hind.
