Badal for cleansing system

Referring to the deterioration in the administrative and social set-up during the last 50 years, he said that it was shameful for all of us to see that the entire system was paralysed by menace of deep-rooted corruption. “It is not the time to blame others for this state of affairs of the country but to make concerted efforts to rectify the mistakes made during last 50 years, so that the Indian nation could achieve respectful status at international level.”

The Chief Minister said that the souls of our great martyrs who had dreamt for harmonious and just society, must be rolling in discomfort over the miserable condition of the downtrodden people who were unable to earn two square meals and to provide clothes to their children.

Appreciating the performance of the Punjabis for the promotion of cultural heritage, he said that they had also made commendable achievements in the fields of science and technology, medicines, engineering at the international level. The Chief Minister regretted that a dangerous trend of according priority to the personal interests over the national interest had started which needed to be reversed. He called upon every citizen to dedicate himself for the national cause.

The Chief Minister was deeply impressed with the performance of the artists from the different parts of the country who enthralled the audience.

Badal also announced befitting cash awards for the artists for their excellent performances.

Punjab State Minister for Information and Public Relations Department Sewa Singh Sekhwan said that the department was being completely geared up to give required publicity to the prestigious developmental and welfare programmes of state government and would involve more and more people at all levels. He said that the department would organise more cultural programmes to strengthen the bonds of national integration and communal amity among the different sections of society.

Among others who attended the function were Medical Education Minister Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Secretary, Information and Public Relations J.S.Kesar, Amrik Singh Aliwal, MP, Jagdish Singh Garcha, Hira Singh Gabria (both MLAs), Deputy Commissioner Arun Goel, Director, Information and Public Relations Jagjit Puri, Director, Cultural Affairs Jasbir Singh Bir and NZCC Director S.K.Ahluwalia.