GOVERNOR OF PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, GULAB CHAND KATARIA ON THE OCCASION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY – 2024
The Voice of Chandigarh :
On the historic completion of 77 years of our country’s Independence, I extend my heartiest felicitations to the people of India, Particularly of Punjab and Chandigarh.
Today, we pay our respectful reverence to all those self sacrificing, devoted leaders and patriots who struggled for freedom throughout their lives. Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and millions of Indians made significant contributions to India’s independence. We also pay tribute to the brave soldiers of our armed forces who sacrificed their lives while protecting our country’s integrity, sovereignty, and borders.
The unprecedented contribution of Punjab to the cause of Freedom of our country is unmatched anywhere in the history of the world. The great martyrs Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Dewan Singh Kalepani and many more who shed every drop of their blood and had languished in Jails, have left a rich legacy for all of us which demands unbounded love and respect for our motherland besides firm commitment to preserve India’s glory and independence.
It is a matter of great pride to recall the laudable contribution of the people of Punjab who have always displayed courage and commitment to the cause of freedom. Punjab has always been on the forefront and known as a Progressive State of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji introduced the concept of Amrit Kaal to the nation on India’s 75th Independence Day. Amrit Kaal is the Prime Minister’s vision 2047 for ‘New India’, a new dawn for the country that will bring the chance to fulfill its aspirations. This Amrit kaal is the time of duty for all of us. This Amrit Kaal is the period for all of us to do something for Maa Bharati.
During the war of independence, the generation that was born before 1947 got the opportunity to sacrifice their lives for the country. They did not leave any opportunity to die for the country. But we do not have the opportunity to die for the country. But there cannot be a greater opportunity than this for us to live for the country! We must live every moment for the country and with this resolution, we need to frame a new resolve for fulfilling the dreams of 140 crore countrymen in this ‘Amrit Kaal’. The resolution of 140 crore countrymen needs to be accomplished and when the tricolor will be hoisted in 2047, then the world will be praising a developed India.
The year 2024 has witnessed a major event of our democratic history in the form of the 18th Lok Sabha Elections. It is a matter of great joy and satisfaction that the elections were conducted peacefully. Electing a popular democratic government has truly demonstrated to the world that India is a mature democracy, with confident and forward looking people as visualized by our founding fathers.
We are given a golden opportunity to take the country to new heights. Contribution from every citizen will be crucial to achieve our goals. For this, I will appeal to all my fellow citizens to abide by our Fundamental Duties enshrined in the Constitution. These duties are essential obligations of every citizen towards making Bharat a developed nation when it completes 100 years of Independence.
We witnessed the historic consecration ceremony of the idol of Prabhu Sri Ram in the glorious new temple constructed at His birthplace in Ayodhya. When this event will be seen in the wider perspective, the future historians will consider it a landmark in India’s continued re-discovery of its civilization heritage.
The successful organizing of the G20 Summit in the capital, under India’s presidency, was an unprecedented achievement. What was all the more noteworthy was the way the people were involved in the G20 events. The magnificent event provided lessons for all in making citizens participants in strategic and diplomatic matters that are, in the final analysis, going to shape their own future.
We also progressed further towards the ideal of gender equality, when the Parliament passed the historic Women’s Reservation Bill. I believe that Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam will prove to be a revolutionary tool of women’s empowerment.
Another significant reform is the creation of Digital India which has made life and business much easier in India. Today, the whole world acknowledges this as a great achievement of India. Even developed countries do not have a digital system like India has.
Inspired by the dynamic leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Nation is asserting itself vigorously in the presence. Considering the huge wealth of talent that the Nation is endowed with, future promises to be even rosier. Let us stay committed to evolve India that is inclusive and vibrant in growth opportunities.
Today, we have some challenges before us and we have to pay special attention to check social evil of drug addiction especially amongst the youth.
Punjab being a border state has always been facing challenges from our neighboring enemy country Pakistan which has 245 km long land border with the state. Now as Pakistan does not have the courage to fight the direct battle with India, it’s fighting a proxy war by the way of sending drugs and weapons by various means to create disturbance in the country. We need to be aware from such acts of the enemy and fight collectively against such plans of the enemy.
The Government of India in the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi and Punjab Government has started joint operations to counter anti national activities from across the border. The Central and State security forces have conducted joint operations in the six border districts of Punjab which have been very successful in countering supply of drugs through drones. About 3000 AI-enabled cameras are being installed to keep an eye on the anti national activities in the border area. The GOI is now equipping the whole border with the Anti Drone technology to counter the supply of drugs and weapons through drones in the border areas.
Now, Village Level Defence Committees have been formed in all the border districts which are collectively working in informing the Police and Defence forces about the anti social and anti national activities in the border districts.
The Punjab Governor has decided to give Rs. 36 lakh annual award money from his discretionary quota to the first three best Border Village Level Committees in six border districts based on their performance to eradicate drugs in their villages. The award will be given in all six border districts to three villages in each district which include Rs.3 lakh to the first, Rs.2 lakh to the 2nd and Rs.1 lakh to the 3rd Border Village Level Defence Committee.
Apart from this Punjab Raj Bhavan has started a tradition of honouring the meritorious students from Punjab and Chandigarh, with an aim of not only appreciating their hard work and achievements, but also to provide them some monetary help in further strengthening their resolve to fulfill their ambitions. 300 meritorious students of Government schools who topped in the State/U.T. in the 8th and 10th classes are honoured from Punjab and UT Chandigarh. The Prize money given is Rs. 10,000/- to each class 10th student and Rs. 5000/- to each class 8th student.
I call upon the people of Punjab, Elected Representatives of Public, Civil & Police officers, Ex-servicemen, youth, doctors, academicians, Intellectuals, NGOs, Voluntary Organisations and Media to run campaigns against drugs, public drives for a green and clean environment, Green Energy, Solar Energy, tree plantation GOI Scheme ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’, Swachh Bharat, Digital India, Make in India, Women Empowerment, Viksit Bharat etc.
Let us, on this occasion, renew our pledge to collectively work hard performing our duties with sincerity, commitment, devotion and dedication, keeping the interest of our country upper most.
I once again extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the people of Punjab and Chandigarh for a glorious future.
Thank you,
Jai Hind.
