Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria extends heartfelt felicitations on eve of Independence Day

Speaking to the media, Kataria said that he paid respectful reverence to the ones who sacrificed their lives for the nation. He further added that the unprecedented contribution of Punjab to the cause of the freedom of the country is unmatched.

"Today, we pay our respectful reverence to all those self-sacrificing, devoted leaders and patriots who struggled for the freedom of the country throughout their lives. The 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," he said.

Further, he added that the great martyrs, including Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai and others, who shed their drop of blood in jail left a rich legacy for the people of the country.

He said, "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."

Further, he added that it was a great pride for the nation to recall the laudable contributions of the people of Punjab who have displayed courage and commitment for the nation. He also said that Punjab has been known as the progressive state of the country for being on the forefront.

"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."

Additionally, he spoke about the introduction of the concept of Amrit Kaal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 75th Independence day and that Amrit Kaal was a vision for the 'New India'.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the concept of Amrit Kaal to the nation on India's 75th Independence Day. Amrit Kaal is the Prime Minister's vision for 2047 for 'New India', a new dawn for the country that will bring the chance to fulfil 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," he added.

He then spoke about the 1947 generation who sacrificed their lives for the country and that the youth must live for the moment of the country and develop a frame for the new resolve of fulfilling the dreams of 140 crore countrymen in the Amrit Kaal.

He said "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. However, we do not have the opportunity to die for the country. 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 tricolour will be hoisted in 2047, then the world will be praising a developed India,"

Further, he added that in 2024 the country's democracy witnessed a major turn in events during the 18th Lok Sabha elections and the government elected in the country has demonstrated to the world that India is a mature democracy.

"The year 2024 has witnessed a major event in 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," Kataria said.

He appealed to the citizens of the country to abide by their fundamental duties.

He said, "We are given a golden opportunity to take the country to new heights. Contribution from every citizen will be crucial to achieving 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."

Further, he added that the people of the country witnessed the historic consecration ceremony of Prabhu Sri Ram's idol in Ayodhya and that the event would be a landmark in the country in the future.

"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 is seen in the wider perspective, the future historians will consider it a landmark in India's continued re-discovery of its civilization heritage," he said.

He also spoke about a G20 summit in the country held last year, and that it was a noteworthy achievement for the country to witness all the people involved in the event.

He said, "The successful organising 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 future.

Additionally, he also mentioned how the country progressed on the concept of gender equality after the Women's Reservation Bill was passed. He also said how the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam would prove to be a revolutionary tool of women's empowerment.

"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 for women's empowerment," he said.

Further, he talked about the creation of Digital India which helped businesses in India.

"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," he said.

He said "Punjab being a border state has always been facing challenges from our neighboring enemy country Pakistan which has a 245 km long land border with the state. Now as Pakistan does not dare 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 of such acts of the enemy and fight collectively against such plans of the enemy."

Adding on, he said about the joint operations by the Punjab government to counter the anti-national activities from across the border.

"The Government of India and the Punjab Government have 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 the 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 Anti Drone technology to counter the supply of drugs and weapons through drones in the border areas," he said.

Further, he added that village-level defence committees have been formed which have been working to inform the police and defence forces of the anti-social and anti-national border activities.

He said "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,"

Additionally, he talked about the tradition started by the Punjab Bhavan to honour meritious students from Punjab and Chandigarh to appreciate the hard work and achievements of the students.

"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 with some monetary help in further strengthening their resolve to fulfil 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," he said.

He called upon the elected representatives of the state, Civil & Police officers, Ex-servicemen, youth, doctors, academicians, Intellectuals, NGOs, Voluntary Organisations and Media to run campaigns against drugs, and public drives for a green and clean environment.

He said "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 and Viksit Bharat."

He appealed to the public to renew their pledge to collectively work hard and perform their duties with sincerity and commitment.

"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 uppermost," he said. (ANI)