Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today unfurled the national flag at the Republic Day Parade here and extended his greetings to the people of the state, recalling the historic day when the Constitution came into force. He expressed pride and satisfaction over the contribution of the Punjabi people in strengthening the Indian democracy. In a brief speech at the parade at YPS Stadium, Singh recalled the words of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar - "We are Indians, firstly and lastly" - and urged people to work for the collective good with a spirit of harmony and brotherhood. The chief minister took a salute during the parade by contingents of Punjab Armed Police, Jalandhar; Punjab Armed Police, Jalandhar (Women Wing); District Police Patiala (Women Wing); District Police Patiala and Punjab Home Guard. At the event, Singh honoured freedom fighters and their families, besides 67 eminent personalities from various walks of life. He also awarded Chief Minister's Medals to six police officials for outstanding devotion to duty. Fourteen tableaux highlighting various sectors and government programmes like the health and agriculture sectors and the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan were displayed at the parade. Visually challenged and hearing & speech impaired students presented an excellent taekwondo show at the parade. Singh announced to give Rs 1 lakh from the Chief Minister Fund to each school or college participating in the function. He said his government was committed to fully implement the farm debt waiver scheme for farmers by November 2018.
The scheme was formally launched earlier this month. Urging the beleaguered farmers of the state to not commit suicides, Singh assured the 10.25 lakh farmers covered by the scheme that they would receive its benefit by November. Singh said the objective of his government's 'Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojana' was to "wipe every tear from every eye" as envisioned by the father of the nation. He announced that around two lakh poor people in the state would receive benefits of 20 government initiatives from today. The chief minister also delved into politics, holding the Akali Dal responsible for "ruining" the state's economy.
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