Patiala, August 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian on Saturday said the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government was committed to building a “Rangla Punjab” in accordance with the vision and aspirations of the martyrs of the freedom struggle.
Khuddian unfurled the National Flag at the district-level Independence Day function in Patiala, inspected the parade and took the salute from participating contingents. He also paid homage to freedom fighters and martyrs, including Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Udham Singh, Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Shaheed Lala Lajpat Rai and Shaheed Diwan Singh Kalepani.
He said Punjabis had made immense sacrifices during the freedom struggle, enabling the country to live in a free atmosphere today. Recalling Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s oath at Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of Bhagat Singh, Khuddian said the government remained committed to fulfilling the dreams of the martyrs.
The minister said the government was working for the welfare of serving soldiers, families of martyrs and ex-servicemen. He highlighted the provision of ₹1 crore ex-gratia assistance to the next of kin of soldiers who attain martyrdom, including Agniveers.
Focus on Agriculture, Water Conservation
Khuddian said Punjab’s farmers had made a major contribution to the country’s foodgrain reserves despite growing pressure on soil health and groundwater resources. He said stubble-burning incidents declined by 53 per cent during the last paddy season, while subsidies ranging from 50 to 80 per cent were provided for 1.58 lakh crop-residue management machines.
He said direct-seeded paddy was cultivated over four lakh acres this year, compared with 2.93 lakh acres last year, as part of efforts to conserve groundwater. He added that ₹7,200 crore had been spent on strengthening canal irrigation, leading to a significant shift from groundwater to canal water for irrigation.
The minister also highlighted the government’s initiatives in employment and education, the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satkar Yojana, Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, Aam Aadmi Clinics, industry and trade, the campaign against drugs and gangsters, road infrastructure, 300 units of free electricity, transport, clean drinking water, administrative reforms, rural development, sports and the Rangla Punjab Vikas Scheme.
Khuddian said the government was also working to connect the younger generation with Punjab’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage. He said the state was observing the 650th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji on a large scale and had organised programmes including the Hamare Ram play and Ek Shaam Shiv Ke Naam. He also recalled the commemoration of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
Parade, Cultural Programmes and Felicitations
Ten contingents, including the ITBP, Punjab Police, Home Guards, NCC, First IRB Pipe Band, Red Cross St John Ambulance Brigade, Old Police Lines School, Guide Squad, Senior Secondary Model School and Punjabi University students, participated in the parade.
The minister distributed sewing machines to seven beneficiaries and needy women, along with six tricycles and one wheelchair through the Indian Red Cross Society, Patiala. He also announced a holiday for all government and private schools in Patiala district on Monday, August 17, in connection with Independence Day.
Students from various schools and colleges presented a cultural programme, while Meeri-Peeri Ranjit Akhara Budha Dal and students performed Gatka.
Tableaux showcasing development initiatives of the Education, Police, Health, Forest, Social Security and Women and Child Development, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Sports departments, besides the Municipal Corporation, were also presented.
The district administration honoured Khuddian with a memento. Four martyr families from the district and UPSC-qualified IAS officers Simrandeep Kaur, Rasneet Kaur and Jayant Garg were also felicitated. Parade officials, platoon commanders, achievers from different fields and teams and coordinators associated with the cultural programmes were honoured as well.
Vande Mataram was sung at both the beginning and conclusion of the ceremony. Students of Government College for Girls presented the National Anthem, while students of Vaani Integrated School for Deaf and Special Children participated through sign language.
The function was attended by Lok Sabha MP Dr Dharamvir Gandhi; MLAs Ajit Pal Singh Kohli, Chetan Singh Jauramajra and Gurlal Ghanaur; Sanaur in-charge Ranjodh Singh Hadana; Mayor Kundan Gogia; District Planning Committee Chairman Tejinder Mehta; Improvement Trust Chairman Harpal Singh Virk; Jagdeep Jagga; Chairman Baljinder Singh Dhillon; Chairman Ashok Sirswal; Traders Commission Chairman Sanjeev Gupta and Gurpreet Singh Dhamoli; District and Sessions Judge Avtar Singh; Padma Shri Jagjit Singh Dardi; theatre personality Pran Sabharwal; Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor Dr Jagdeep Singh; RGNUL Vice-Chancellor Dr Jaishankar Singh; Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Open University Vice-Chancellor Dr Rattan Singh; Divisional Commissioner Vinay Bublani; Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal; SSP Varun Sharma; ADCs Damanjit Singh Mann and Anuprita Johal; Municipal Commissioner Pooja Syal; SP Vaibhav Chaudhary; councillors, the Coordinator of the War Against Drugs campaign, other leaders and dignitaries, students and residents.
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