I-Day celerated in Punjab with fervour

Chandigarh, Aug 15 (UNI) The 61st Independence Day was celerated today amid traditional fervour and gaiety throughout the border state with ministers launching the ambitious 'Atta Dal Scheme' at the district levels.

Speaker Nirmal Singh Khalon unfurled the National Flag at Gurdaspur and took the salute at the march past by the contingents of the police, NCC, Scouts and schools. A colourful cultural programme depicting the culture and heritage of Punjab was also presented on the occasion.

The Speaker paid rich tributes to the freedom fighters and martyrs of the freedom struggle. He announced that the state government was formulating various schemes for the upliftment of the border districts.

Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia unfurled the tricolour at the Gandhi Grounds at Amritsar and inspected a guard of honour. A 14-member delegation of the German Bundestag also witnessed the I-Day function at Amritsar.

Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal was the chief guest at Jalandhar while Rural Development Minister unfurled the flag at Tarn Taran. On the occasion the ministers launched the 'Atta Dal scheme' in the respective districts.

The morning showers failed to dampen the Independence Day celebrations at Police Ground in Hoshiarpur where, Minister for Medical Education and Research Tikshan Sud unfurled the national flag and took the salute. The Minister paid tributes to martyrs of the freedom struggle and all those who had laid down their lives to uphold the unity and integrity of the nation.

The Minister also inaugurated the Atta-Dal scheme for 83,582 beneficiaries of the district. He announced Rs 51,000 for the welfare of those children who performed in the cultural programme on this occasion. He also announced a holiday in all the schools of the district for tomorrow.

As many as 25 sewing machines and 8 tricycles provided by the District Red Cross Society were distributed to the needy. Forty five persons were honoured on this occasion who achieved distinctions in the field of sports, social service and education.

The tri-colour were also unfurled at Garhshankar, Mukerian and Dasuya sub divisions of the district by Des Raj Dhugga and Arunesh Shakar, both Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, Punjab, and Rahul Chaba, SDM, respectively.

Technical Education Minister Swarna Ram hoisted the national flag at Guru Nanak Stadium at Kapurthala and took the salute at the impressive march past from the contingents of Punjab Police, Home guards, NCC cadets and school children.

On the occasion Mr Swarna Ram announced that women who attain the age of 60 years would be given a pension of Rs 4000 per month while a similar amount would be given to men attaining the age of 65 years.

Minister distributed 15 tricycles and 11 sewing machines to the needy persons. He also gave cash awards to 23 students who stood first in middle, matric and plus two examinations in the district.

Cooperative Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh and Tourism Minister Hira Singh Gabria led the district level I-Day celerations at Patiala and Sangrur respectively. The other Ministers also unfurled the national flag in other districts of the state. The Day was also celebrated at sub-divisional and tehsil levels and in educational institutions in the state.

UNI