60 yrs after green revolution: Prez calls upon Punjab kisans, agri scientists to lead country in environment-friendly farming

The President’s emphasis came at a time when Punjab’s agriculture was at a crossroads — underground water table declining fast, compounding the fear of desertification, and the overuse of pesticides causing growing concerns.

Speaking at a civic reception hosted in her honour by the Punjab government in Mohali, Murmu immediately struck a chord with the people by raising slogans “Bole So Nihal… and Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa…” during her speech. She also bowed to the land of martyrs and saints, as she said in Punjabi, “Main santan te bahaduran di iss dharti nu parnaam kardi han (I bow to the land of saints and braves).”

She traced the history of Punjab by recalling how Guru Nanak Dev had started the spirit of langar (community kitchen) in the state.

Recalling how Mohali was named Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar after the Sahibzada of Guru Gobind Singh, she said, “I bow my head in the memory of the four Sahibzadas — Baba Ajit Singh, Baba Jujhar Singh, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh — who sacrificed their lives, protecting their faith and self-respect.”

In her speech, interspersed with references of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Hari Singh Nalwa and martyrs like Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, the President said, “On the land of Punjab, important chapters of the country’s freedom struggle have been written. I salute Punjab Kesari Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Sardar Udham Singh, and countless freedom fighters of Punjab. In 2022, the Chandigarh Airport was renamed as Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport. The honour of Shaheed Bhagat Singh is also the honour of all brave soldiers and freedom fighters of the country.”

“The entire country loves Punjab. Punjabi singers are seen on a wide scale. Punjab’s folk dance, Bhangra, is mesmerising and can help a patient recover from an illness. If a patient watches it, he would feel like dancing to its beat. His heart would start racing again, and he would be cured of half the illness, ” she said, adding amid the applause from the audience that “people throng Punjabi restaurants to have lassi, paratha and dahi, and Punjabi wedding ceremonies are fast influencing weddings in other parts of the country”.

Talking about langar, she said, “Gurdawaras are open to all without discrimination. “Guru Nanak Dev ji started the tradition of langar service. Mata Sulkhani contributed to this service. I would like to make a special mention of ‘Mata Khivi ji da langar. ’ Mata Khivi gave a systematic form to the langar service. She provided these services during the first five Guru Sahibs. Guru Arjun Dev himself came to her cremation. I salute the holy memory of Mata Khivi ji.”

Prez’s achievements bring her in league of Lincoln, others: Mann

Welcoming President Murmu to Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann exhorted women from all walks of life to read President Murmu’s life story from Wikipedia and take inspiration from her. “The life of President is a source of inspiration for all of us as she had struggled hard in life both at personal and professional level. However, she attained new heights in life through her hard work, vision and commitment. Her achievement brings her in the league of global leaders like former US President Abraham Lincoln and others,” the CM said.
Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Sheel Nagu and Punjab Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan also welcomed the President.