The 79th Independence Day was celebrated with grandeur at the district-level function held at the Police Line Ground, Hoshiarpur, where Punjab’s Minister for Defence Services Welfare, Freedom Fighters and Horticulture, Minister Mohinder Bhagat, unfurled the national flag. MLA Bram Shankar Jimpa and Dr. Ishank Kumar were also present on the occasion. The Cabinet Minister, along with Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain, SSP Sandeep Kumar Malik, and Parade Commander DSP Manpreet Kaur Shimar, inspected the parade and took salute from the impressive march past. The event also featured a colorful cultural programme, mass PT display, and captivating Giddha and Bhangra performances by school children.
As part of the celebrations, Minister Mohinder honoured families of freedom fighters and martyred soldiers, distributed sewing machines, motor tricycles, wheelchairs, and tricycles to the needy, besides awarding scholarships to meritorious students. Distinguished personalities from various fields, along with officers and employees for exemplary work, were also felicitated. A spectacular march past was performed by contingents of the District Police, Women Police, Punjab Home Guards, NCC, Girls Guides, Boys Scouts, and PRTC Jahankhel, while departmental tableaux showcasing government development initiatives drew special attention.
ਦੇਸ਼ ਦਾ 79ਵਾਂ ਸੁਤੰਤਰਤਾ ਦਿਵਸ ਸਾਰੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿੱਚ ਦੇਸ਼ ਭਗਤੀ ਦੇ ਜੋਸ਼ ਨਾਲ ਮਨਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ।
ਰੱਖਿਆ ਸੇਵਾਵਾਂ ਭਲਾਈ, ਬਾਗ਼ਬਾਨੀ ਅਤੇ ਸੁਤੰਤਰਤਾ ਸੰਗਰਾਮੀ ਵਿਭਾਗਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਮੋਹਿੰਦਰ ਭਗਤ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਹੁਸ਼ਿਆਰਪੁਰ ਵਿਖੇ ਤਿਰੰਗਾ ਝੰਡਾ ਲਹਿਰਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ। ਇਸ ਮੌਕੇ ਸ਼ਹੀਦਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਸਾਬਕਾ ਸੈਨਿਕਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਨਮਾਨ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਰੱਖਿਆ… pic.twitter.com/I9C13Lu7zk— Government of Punjab (@PbGovtIndia) August 15, 2025
Extending Independence Day greetings, Minister Mohinder Bhagat paid homage to the countless martyrs who sacrificed their lives for India’s freedom. He expressed pride in hoisting the national flag in Hoshiarpur, known as the state’s most educated district and the “city of saints,” while highlighting the unparalleled sacrifices of Punjabis in the freedom struggle. The Minister said the Punjab government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to rebuilding a vibrant, progressive, and prosperous Punjab.
Detailing state government initiatives, Minister Mohinder Bhagat pointed out key welfare measures including 300 units of free power, expansion of Aam Aadmi Clinics, free medicines and diagnostics, new ambulances, free health insurance worth ₹10 lakh for every citizen from October 2, piped drinking water to all rural households, revival of 14,000 water courses, sports allowances for players, and the launch of the Sadak Surakhiya Force (SSF) to save road accident victims. He added that Punjab is leading in education reforms with 118 Schools of Eminence, overseas training for teachers, and door-to-door public services. The government has also created industrial committees, launched anti-drug and anti-corruption drives, revived village ponds, and distributed over ₹100 crore as prize money to achievers in Olympic, Asian, Commonwealth and National Games.
Minister Mohinder announced that the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji will be observed in a grand manner, with plans to plant 3.5 lakh saplings in each district. He also emphasized the government’s commitment to the welfare of ex-servicemen and martyrs’ families, citing 13% job reservation in direct recruitment, ex-gratia grants of ₹1 crore to martyrs’ families (already given to 30 families), and the renovation of the Hoshiarpur Sainik Rest House with facilities like computer courses for ex-servicemen and their dependents.
Minister Mohinder Bhagat further highlighted projects such as the Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Memorial, eco-tourism at Chauhal Dam, the state’s first biofertilizer laboratory, and a digital library at Hoshiarpur.
The event was attended by District and Sessions Judge Rajinder Agarwal, DIG Jalandhar Range Naveen Singla, Director Tourism Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari, Mayor Surinder Kumar, along with various chairpersons of local bodies, senior officers of the judicial, civil, and police administration, teachers, students, and a large number of residents.