VIKRAMDITYA SHARMA/FEROZEPORE

Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh today unfurled the National Flag on the occasion of Independence Day in this border district and took salute from the contingents of Punjab Police, Women’s Wing of Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guard and NCC Scouts and Guides. Notably this year, the Independence Day celebrations took place at cantonment grain market instead of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium due to ongoing construction work.

While addressing the congregation, the minister said that the country has attained freedom due to prime sacrifices made by the scores of freedom fighters. While blowing the trumpet of AAP government, he said that the state government is committed to eradicate corruption, provide world class education and employment opportunities to the people of Punjab. “Besides, the people of Punjab will also get world class health facilitie and very soon Punjab will be a leading state of the country in terms of development”, he further added.

Earlier, the minister visited National Martyr’s memorial at Hussainwiala and paid floral tributes to martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev. Later at grain market Harbhajn Singh honoured the eminent personalities from various fields, freedom fighters, families of kargil martyrs, sportspersons, students, officers, and employees.

Earlier, the minister visited National Martyr’s memorial at Hussainwiala and paid floral tributes to martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev. Later at grain market Harbhajn Singh honoured the eminent personalities from various fields, freedom fighters, families of kargil martyrs, sportspersons, students, officers, and employees.

During the event heavy rain affected the programme. The rain started during the speech of the minister due to which all the arrangement went messy.

On this occasion, MLA Ferozepur Urban Ranbir Singh Bhullar, MLA Ferozepur Rural Rajnish Dahiya, MLA Zira Naresh Kataria, Deputy Commissioner Amrit Singh, SSP. Surinder Lamba, District and Sessions Judge Virinder Aggarwal, Additional Deputy Commissioner (G) Sagar Setia, SDM besides officials from various department students of different schools, teachers, representatives of panchayats were present.

After the completion of Independence Day Celebrations, the Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh inaugurated a Mohalla Clinic situated inside the Water Supply and Sewerage Board office. On this occasion, the cabinet minister said that a promise was made to open mohalla clinics during the campaigning of the elections by the party, which has been fulfilled today and 75 mohalla clinics have been opened in the state on the occasion of the completion of 75 years of independence. “With these mohalla clinics, common people will get health facilities close to their homes”, he said.