Joining the event are Governor of Punjab Shri V P Singh Badnoreji, Chief Minister of Punjab Cap tAmarinder Singh ji, my colleagues in the Union Cabinet Shri G Kishan Reddy ji, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwalli, Shri Som Prakash ji, my colleague in Parliament Shri Shvait Malik ji, all the respected Chief Ministers, public representatives, family members of the martyrs, brothers and sisters!
I salute the brave land of Punjab and the holy soil of Jallianwala Bagh! Salute also to those children of Mother Bharati, whose burning flame of freedom was extinguished brutally. The dreams of those innocent boys and girls, sisters and brothers are still visible in the bullet marks in the walls of Jallianwala Bagh. The lives of children of countless mothers and sisters were snatched away at ShaheediKuan. Their dreams were trampled upon. We are remembering them all today.
Brothers and sisters,
Jallianwala Bagh is the place which inspired the countless revolutionaries and fighters like Sardar Udham Singh and Sardar Bhagat Singh to die for the freedom of India. Those 10 minutes of 13th April 1919, the true saga of our freedom struggle,have become eternal, due to which we are able to celebrate the Amrit Mahotsav of freedom. It is an occasion of great inspiration for all of us that we are getting the renovated complex of the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial in the 75th year of independence. It has been my good fortune that I have had the privilege of visiting this holy land of Jallianwala Bagh several times and applying the holy soil here on my forehead. This renovation has made the immortal saga of sacrifice more eternal. The different galleries, the pictures of martyrs engraved in the walls and the statue of Shaheed Udham Singh ji take us to that period. The holy Baisakhi fairs used to be held here before the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. It was on this day that Guru Gobind Singh ji founded the Khalsa Panth with the spirit of 'Sarbat da Bhala' (welfare of all). This new look of Jallianwala Bagh in the 75th year of independence will inspire the countrymen to know a lot about the history of this holy place, about its past. This place will always remind the new generation of this journey of our freedom, the trials of our ancestors, their sacrifice and countless struggles. We will also draw inspiration with renewed energy regarding our duties towards the nation and keeping the interests of the country paramount in whatever we do.
Friends,
It is the responsibility of every nation to preserve its history. The historic events teach us a lot and also give us the direction to move forward. We have also witnessed another horror like Jallianwala Bagh at the time of partition of India. The hard-working and lively people of Punjab have been the biggest victims of Partition. We still feel the pain of what happened at the time of Partition in every corner of India and especially in the families of Punjab. It is not right for any country to ignore such horrors of its past. Therefore, India has decided to observe 14th August every year as the ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’. This day will also remind the future generations the price we paid for our freedom. They will be able to feel the pain which crores of Indians suffered at the time of partition.
Friends,
Gurbani teaches us: सुखु होवै सेव कमाणीआ।
That is, happiness comes from serving others. We are happy only when we feel the pain of others as well as our own. Therefore, if any Indian is in trouble today anywhere in the world, India stands up to help him with all its might. The world has taken note of it whether it was during Corona or the current crisis in Afghanistan. Hundreds of friends from Afghanistan are being brought to India under ‘Operation Devi Shakti’. There are many challenges and circumstances are difficult, but Guru's grace also remains with us. We have also brought the 'Swaroop' of the Holy Guru Granth Sahib along with the people to India (from Afghanistan).
Friends,
Over the years, the country has made every effort to fulfill this responsibility. Keeping in mind the teachings of humanity by our Gurus, the country has also made new laws for its people persecuted by such circumstances.
Friends,
The current global circumstances underline the importance of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ (One India, Supreme India). These incidents remind us of the need for self-reliance and self-confidence as a nation. Therefore, when we are celebrating 75 years of independence, it is necessary that we strengthen the foundation of our nation and take pride in it. The Amrit Mahotsav of freedom reflects this resolve asfreedom fighters are being remembered and honored in every village. Dedicated efforts are being made to bring the important milestones of the country’s freedom struggle to the fore. The places associated with the national heroes of the country are not only being preserved but new dimensions are also being added. Other national monuments associated with independence like Jallianwala Baghare also being renovated. The construction of the country's first interactive galleryat the Allahabad Museum displaying every revolution from 1857 to 1947will be completed soon. This 'Azad Gallery', dedicated to Krantiveer Chandra Shekhar Azad, will provide a digital experience of the documents related to the armed revolution at that time. Similarly, the Biplobi Bharat Gallery in Kolkata is being made attractive for the future generation through modern technology. Earlier, an attempt has been made by the government to bring out the contribution of Azad Hind Fauj from the pages of history. The place where Netaji hoisted the tricolor for the first time in Andaman has also been given a new identity. The names of the islands of Andaman have also been dedicated to the freedom struggle.
Brothers and sisters,
Our tribal society has a great contribution in the great sacrifice of freedom. The immortal tales of sacrifice by tribal communities still inspire us. Their contribution did not get as much place in the history books as it should have. Presently, work is in progress on museums in nine states depicting tribal freedom fighters and their struggle.
Friends,
It was also the desire of the country that there should be a national memorial for our soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice. I am satisfied that the National War Memorial is instilling in youth the spirit of national security and sacrificing everything for the country. Our brave soldiers from every corner of the country, including Punjab, who have been martyred for the security of the nation, are being given due respect. Similarly, there was no national memorial for so many decades after independencefor our police personnel and paramilitary forces. Today the National Memorial dedicated to police and paramilitary forces is also inspiring the new generation of the country.
Friends,
There is hardly any village or a street in Punjab where there is no saga of valor and bravery.Following the path shown by the Gurus, the sons and daughters of Punjab stand as a rock in front of those who look down on MotherBharati. Continuous efforts are being made to make our heritage more thriving. Be it the 550th Prakashotsav of Guru Nanak Dev ji, 350th Prakashotsav of Guru Gobind Singh ji, or the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, all these milestones have fortunately come only in the last seven years. The Central Government has made an effort to spread the teachings of our Gurus not only in the country but all over the world through these holy festivals. Work is going on continuously to pass on this rich heritage to the future generations be it the work of making Sultanpur Lodhi a heritage town or the construction of the Kartarpur Corridor. The air connectivity with different countries of the world or the connectivity of religious places of our Gurus across the country has been strengthened. Anandpur Sahib-Fatehgarh Sahib-Ferozpur-Amritsar-Khatkar Kalan-Kalanaur-Patiala Heritage Circuit is being developed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. It is our endeavor that our rich heritage continues to inspire the future generations and also become a means of employment in the form of tourism.
Friends,
This period of independence is very important for the entire country. We have to carry heritage and development along, and the land of Punjab has always inspired us. Today it is necessary that Punjab should progress at every level, our country should progress in all directions. Therefore, we have to work together with the spirit of 'SabkaSaath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and SabkaPrayas'. I have full faith that this land of Jallianwala Bagh will continue to inspire us for our resolutions, and the country will fulfill its goals soon. With this wish, once again many congratulations for this modern monument! Thanks a lot!
