Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann marked the 110th martyrdom anniversary of freedom fighter Kartar Singh Sarabha by announcing significant development projects worth Rs 45.84 crore for his native village in Ludhiana district.
Tribute to a Young Revolutionary
During his visit to Sarabha village on Sunday, the Chief Minister paid floral tributes at the ancestral home of the Ghadar Party revolutionary, which is now a protected heritage property. Kartar Singh Sarabha was executed by British authorities on November 16, 1915, when he was merely 19 years old, making him one of the youngest martyrs in India's freedom struggle.
Mann also honored Sarabha's companions who faced the same fate, including Vishnu Ganesh Pingle, Bakhshish Singh, Jagat Singh, Surein Singh (Senior), Shaheed Harnam Singh Sialkoti and Surein Singh (Junior). The CM emphasized that these brave souls made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation's independence.
Comprehensive Development Package
The Punjab government has allocated substantial funds for transforming Sarabha village into a model settlement. The development projects focus on improving infrastructure and creating modern amenities for residents.
The major components of the Rs 45.84 crore package include:
- Rs 40 crore for widening the existing two-lane road from Lalton Kalan to Sarabha, Raikot, which connects to Halwara airport
- Rs 2.82 crore for a surface water supply scheme to ensure clean drinking water
- Rs 2 crore for constructing a 10-meter indoor shooting range
- Rs 10 lakh for renovation of the basketball ground
- Rs 3 lakh for developing a volleyball court and constructing six concrete benches at the sports ground
- Rs 89 lakh for upgrading the Forest Nursery
Honoring Sarabha's Legacy Through Education and Training
Recognizing Kartar Singh Sarabha's achievements as a trained pilot, the Chief Minister addressed villagers' demands for specialized training facilities. The government plans to establish a training academy for security and police forces that will include exhibition of derelict MiG-21 aircraft for pilot and drone training.
Mann highlighted Sarabha's exceptional intellect, noting that the revolutionary had secured admission at University of California, Berkeley in 1912 for higher studies, where he joined the Ghadar Party. "Even today, it is a herculean task to get admission in that university, which he did then," the CM remarked, emphasizing the young martyr's brilliance.
In a significant announcement, Mann declared that November 16 will be observed as a holiday every year to commemorate Sarabha's martyrdom. This decision aims to ensure that "children question their parents about Kartar Singh Sarabha" and his "martyrdom becomes a topic of discussion in every household."
The Chief Minister concluded by stressing the importance of remembering the sacrifices made for India's freedom, stating that "children and youth should know that this independence hasn't come for free. We had to sacrifice lives for it." The development initiatives represent the state government's commitment to honoring Sarabha's legacy through meaningful progress and modernization of his native village.
