PUNJAB ALL SET TO HOST SEVERAL NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENTS: CM
PRESIDES OVER A FUNCTION TO FACILITATE 1975 WORLD CUP WINNER HOCKEY SQUAD AND GIVE CASH PRIZE TO WINNERS OF NATIONAL GAMES, KHEDAN WATAN PUNJAB DIAN AND PARA KHEDA WATAN PUNJAB DIAN
*SAYS SPORTS PIVOTAL IN CHANNELIZING UNBOUNDED ENERGY OF YOUTH IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION
Chandigarh, March 27:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday said that with the concerted efforts of the government, the state will soon host several national and international level sporting events to give impetus to sporting culture in the state.
Addressing the gathering during a function to facilitate 1975 World Cup Winner Hockey Squad and cash prize to winners of National Games, Khedan Watan Punjab Dian and Para Kheda Watan Punjab Dian, the Chief Minister said that he has raised this matter at several platforms and now it has started producing desired results adding that soon Punjab will soon host four Nation Hockey League. Likewise, he said that several other prestigious events will also be organized in the state to give a boost to sporting culture in Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in order to wean away youth from the menace of drugs, playgrounds and gyms will be opened in every village of the state.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is working on an aggressive campaign to produce a maximum number of trained sportspersons and to have more Punjabi players in the Indian contingent for international events. Bhagwant Singh Mann stressed that Punjab has abundant sports talent and the Punjab government would not leave any stone unturned to enable the players to participate and win medals for India in the international arena. He said that Punjab has become the first state in the country to provide funds for preparation of international events to the players.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab and sports have a strong bond due to which Punjabi players always prove their mettle in the games. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the youth of the state have an inherent talent but the successive governments have failed to provide requisite infrastructure. He asserted that now the players are being provided with state of the art infrastructure and world class facilities.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is committed to restoring the pristine glory of the state in the field of sports and no stone is being left unturned for it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to concerted efforts of the state government players have carved a niche for themselves in the national and international sporting events. He said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that eight players in the Indian team of 1975 Hockey were from Punjab and the coach of the team along with Manager were also from the state.
The Chief Minister said that the 1975 World Cup was a proud moment for the country as the one and only world cup was lifted by India. He bemoaned that the earlier government had never bothered about the sports and players but his government has laid due focus on it so that players get appreciation and youth get inspiration from them. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is a unique function as those who have upheld the flag of the country are present in this function adding that as he was an ardent sports lover so it is a matter of immense pride for them.
The Chief Minister said that Punjabis have always excelled in the field of sports and this function is a recognition of their hard work, perseverance and dedication. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is leaving no stone unturned for promotion of sports in Punjab, so that more and more players bring medals in national and international events. He said that Sports nurseries are being set up in Punjab to channelize the unbounded energy of the youth in the state.
The Chief Minister said that promotion of sports culture can be the most effective tool in the state government’s crusade against drugs due to which Punjab is leaving no stone unturned for this. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that the youth who are involved in sports have no time even to look at drugs because they are using their all might to excel in their respective fields. He further said that the Khedan Watan Punjab Dian is organized by the state government every year, which is a right step towards providing a platform to the players for showcasing their talent.
The Chief Minister asserted that these games help the state government to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the players which are beneficial for grooming them for the national and international events in future. He further said that the state government is leaving no stone unturned to popularize sports in the state as it can play a key role in progress of the state and prosperity of its people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is a moment of glory for all of us that a galaxy of players has attended this historic event today.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also felicitated the players of 1975 Indian Hockey team and disbursed cash prize worth Rs 3.99 crore to 107 players who had recently participated in National games and Rs 9.65 crore to 13778 players who had won medals in Khedan Watan Punjab Dian and Para Kheda Watan Punjab Dian.
On the occasion the veteran Hockey players who had participated in 1975 world cup also presented a Hockey with their autograph to the Chief Minister.
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CM RAPS CONGRESS LEADERS FOR MAKING IRRESPONSIBLE STATEMENTS AND INDULGING IN GIMMICKS FOR HOGGING MEDIA LIMELIGHT
SLAMS OPPOSITION FOR QUESTIONING CREDENTIALS OF SANT BABA BALBIR SINGH SEECHEWAL
SAYS BABA SEECHEWAL EXPERT IS CLEANING THE DIRTY WATER OF PONDS BUT HE CANNOT CLEAN THE FILTHY AND MYOPIC MINDSET OF THESE LEADERS
ASSERTS LOP HAS LOST MENTAL BALANCE IS HIS LUST TO BECOME CM OF STATE
QUESTIONS THAT WHY SHAHEED BHAGAT SINGH WAS NOT AWARDED BHARTA RATNA DURING CONGRESS REGIME
LISTS PATH BREAKING INITIATIVES OF STATE GOVERNMENT TO EMERGE PUNJAB AS FRONTRUNNER STATE
Chandigarh, March 27-Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday rapped the Congress leaders especially the Leader of Opposition for making irresponsible and irrelevant statements and indulging in theatrics just to satiate their lust for hogging the media limelight.
Addressing the gathering during the Vidhan Sabha session, the Chief Minister quipped that those who are habitual of obstructing the session often stage walk out on trivial issues to get media attention. He said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the 1975 World Cup Hockey winner team is sitting in the Vidhan Sabha gallery. Training guns against opposition, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is unfortunate that the opposition was questioning the credentials of eminent environmentalist Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal who was working for the environment since 1999.
The Chief Minister said that those asking about degrees of Baba Seechewal have forgotten that their leader Rahul Gandhi who has a degree from Cambridge has done nothing credible for the country. He said that those who had degrees from Doon, Sanawar or others and were helms of affairs in the state have contributed nothing for the country or state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders forget that a person without any professional degree can do exceptional work of public service and Baba Seechewal is a glaring example of it.
The Chief Minister said that it is a fact that Baba Seechewal can clean the dirty water of ponds but he cannot clean the filthy and myopic mindset of these leaders. He said that the leader of the opposition has lost his mental balance just for the sake of his lust to become Chief Minister. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Baba Seechewal’s work was even recognized by the eminent President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
The Chief Minister said that the owner of Facebook is a dropout from college and doesn’t have any degree but the Congress leaders use these platforms to abuse him. He quipped that a section of non-serious Congress stage walkout from the session whereas some of the others attend the session which reflects that it is a divided house. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those who say that the state government is run from Delhi forget that their affairs are managed from Rajasthan, Chattisgarh and other states.
The Chief Minister said that Congress doesn’t respect Punjabis and humiliate them and animosity against Sant Seechewal was a reflection of that. He said that such an outburst against Padamshree Awardee Sant Seechewal is unfortunate and unwarranted. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that many leaders of national and international stature visit Baba Seechewal for seeking guidance wherever these leaders make irrational statements against them.
Listing path breaking initiatives of the state government, the Chief Minister said that water had depleted in 117 out 153 blocks, which went into black dark zone. He said that the previous governments never bothered about making any effort to save the groundwater and the farmers at the tail ends, on this land of five rivers, never got water. Bhagwant Singh Mann said after assuming charge the AAP government has revived 15947 water courses in the state due to which water has reached at the tail ends even in remotest villages.
The Chief Minister said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government the ground water level has started increasing and as per a report of the Union government it has witnessed an upward enhancement of one metre. He said that the state government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against corruption and none of the corrupt officers is being tolerated. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that every corrupt officer will be nailed and strict action will be taken against them.
The Chief Minister said that every single day of the state government has been dedicated towards restoring the pristine glory of Punjab and to ensure holistic development of the state based on people’s feedback. He said that ‘Rangla Punjab Vikas Scheme’ has been launched in every district to cater to important local everyday developmental needs of the people of that district. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the fund worth Rs 5 crore annually will be administered by the District Commissioners (DCs) and will be spent based on the recommendations of MLAs, community organizations, citizen groups and public-spirited citizens.
The Chief Minister said that this fund will be a huge enabler in ensuring all-round development of all our districts across all sectors such as construction and repair of roads and bridges, streetlights, clinics, hospitals, schools, water, sanitation and others. He said that for the first time any such provision has been made to give impetus to the development works in the state thereby immensely benefitting the common man. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a budgetary provision worth Rs.585 crore (Rs.5 crore per constituency) has been proposed for the ‘Rangla Punjab Vikas Scheme’ in the budget.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has created history by giving 52,606 jobs to the youth merely in 36 months of assuming the charge of office. He said that the state government is working tirelessly for the holistic development of Punjab for which young and qualified youth are required. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that for this purpose only the state government has embarked this massive recruitment drive for putting the state on a high growth trajectory.
The Chief Minister said that his government has provided free power to households from the month of July after which 90% of them are getting free power. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that for the first time the state government has purchased a power plant from a private firm to make the state surplus in power production. Referring to demand of conferring Bharat Ratna award to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Leader of opposition should tell why it was not bestowed when their party was in power.
The Chief Minister said that bestowing the Bharat Ratna award to these legendary martyrs will enhance the prestige of this award. Bhagwant Singh Mann bemoaned that unfortunately this award was not bestowed to these leaders even after the passing of more than 75 years of independence. He said that the awardees for this coveted award are selected by a high level committee led by the Prime Minister of the country adding he quipped that ironically two past Prime Ministers from the Congress party had recommended their own names for this prestigious award.