Bathinda, August 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Cabinet Minister for Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management, Water Supply and Sanitation, and Housing and Urban Development Hardeep Singh Mundian hoisted the National Tricolour at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Multipurpose Sports Stadium in Bathinda on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day and paid tribute to the freedom fighters whose sacrifices secured the country’s independence.
Addressing the district-level समारोह after inspecting the parade and taking the salute from the marching contingents, Mundian said Punjabis had made immense sacrifices during the freedom struggle. He urged people to work collectively to strengthen Punjab and ensure its continued progress.
The minister said education and healthcare remained among the Punjab government’s key priorities. He said the state had secured the top position in the National Achievement Survey, outperforming states such as Kerala, while substantial investments had also been made to strengthen school infrastructure.
Highlighting healthcare initiatives, Mundian said Aam Aadmi Clinics were providing free medicines and laboratory tests, while the Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana was providing cashless treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh to every eligible family through health cards.
He also said the government remained committed to making Punjab a leading state through development and welfare-oriented policies.
During the ceremony, Mundian honoured freedom fighters and war widows and distributed sewing machines and tricycles among needy beneficiaries. Officials, employees, sportspersons, environmentalists, social organisations and students who had excelled in different fields were also felicitated.
Three Booth Level Officers — Mengal Singh, Sandeep Singh and Harpreet Singh — were honoured for achieving 100 per cent digitisation of forms under the special drive.
The parade, commanded by DSP Sarabjit Singh, comprised contingents of Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards and Civil Defence, NCC boys and girls, the 3 Punjab Naval NCC, Home Nursing, Scouts and Guides, besides Punjab Police and Army bands. The minister also released colourful balloons symbolising peace and harmony.
Students from St Joseph Convent School, Lord Rama Public School, Police Public School and Saraswati Citizen Group, Bathinda, presented choreographies, while students from different schools performed giddha and bhangra. Special-needs students of Government School Mall Road and Mahant Gurbanta Das School presented the National Anthem.
The programme began with Vande Mataram and concluded with its rendition. The district administration also honoured Mundian.
Bathinda Urban MLA Jagroop Singh Gill, Bhucho Mandi MLA Master Jagsir Singh, Bathinda Rural MLA Amit Rattan Kotfatta, Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Dhiman, SSP Dr Jyoti Yadav Bains and other senior officials and public representatives attended the function.
Among those present were IG Jatinder Jain, DIG Bathinda Range Harjit Singh, District and Sessions Judge Karunesh Kumar, Civil Judge (Senior Division)/CJМ-cum-Secretary Baljinder Kaur Mann, AIG Counter Intelligence Avneet Kaur Sidhu, Punjab Cricket Association president Amarjit Singh Mehta, Bathinda Municipal Corporation Mayor Padamjit Singh Mehta, Punjab Medium Industries Development Board chairman Neel Garg, District Planning Committee chairman Hardeep Singh Saran, Improvement Trust chairman Jatinder Singh Bhalla, Punjab Forest Department chairman Rakesh Puri, Markfed chairman Inderjit Singh Mann, Sugarfed Punjab chairman and Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency in-charge Navdeep Jeeda, Excise and Taxation Department chairman Anil Thakur, Bathinda Rural constituency in-charge Gopal Singh Kotfatta, SC Corporation vice-chairman Gurjant Singh Sivian, Punjab Water Resources Management and Development Corporation director and Bathinda Central Cooperative Bank chairman Amardeep Rajan, Trade Wing district president Bikram Lovely, Market Committee Bathinda chairman Balli Baljit, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Kanchan and SDM Bathinda Amandeep Singh Mavi.
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