Shahdeed Udham Singh's death anniversary observed

Sunam, Sangrur, July 31 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today paid homage to Shaheed Udham Singh on his 68th death anniversary at a state-level function held here.

Addressing a public gathering on this occasion after paying floral tributes to the martyr, Mr Badal said the history of India's freedom movement was replete with saga of numerous sacrifices made by the Punjabis. It was a matter of regret that Punjab had never been given due recognition by the centre government, he lamented, while pointing out this day should have ben observed at the national level.

Shaheed Udham Singh was one of the great patriots of India, who had desired to see his motherland free from the rule of British colonialism and imperialism, he said.

Mr Badal said it even after 60 years of independence the country was still suffering with the problems like poverty, unemployment and illiteracy. He claimed that his government had chalked out a comprehensive plan for the overall development of the state.

The government in its endeavour towards rural as well as urban rejuvenation was fully committed to provide basic amenities and improved quality of life for a common man, he added. He further informed that for the Rural Electrification Plan (REP), the key factor for the over-all development of the rural areas, the state government had prepared a blueprint, requiring a sum of Rs 9534 crore during 11th Five Year Plan.

Referring to the concrete steps taken to provide quality education to the intelligent children of poor families by his government, Mr Badal said he had been succeeded in motivating some of the leading business houses in the country to pitch in with huge investments in the educational sector in Punjab.

He claimed that these corporate housese had agreed to set up 100 Adarsh Schools in various parts of the state, involving a total private investment of over Rs 300 crore, in addition to subsequent revenue cost of about 65 crore annually.

He further added that these Adarsh Schools would be set up in a phased manner and existing schools would be provided better infra- structure.

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