Republic Day Message by Punjab Governor and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh

Chandigarh, January 25, 2013: In his Republic Day Message, Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, Shivraj V. Patil has said,” Dear Citizens:  On the eve of 63rd Anniversary of our Republic, I have the privilege to extend my heartiest greetings to all Indians living in the country and abroad and brave personnel of our armed forces, who guard our frontiers on land, at sea and in the air to defend the unity and territorial integrity of the nation.

The formation of the Republic on 26^th January 1950 was the first milestone in our march towards realizing the dreams of our people in the aftermath of Independence. The Constitution gave expression to the goals, ideals and values that guided our freedom struggle.

This historic occasion is a day of rejoicing, as today we enjoy the status of being the world’s largest democracy and one of the major players in the world map. A special emphasis has been laid, at national and states level, in recent years on rapid and more inclusive growth, with the focus on bringing about social equality through the reduction of poverty and empowerment of our people by adopting multi-pronged strategies.

While today is an occasion for celebration and rejoicing, yet it is also a day of calm introspection about our successes and our failures in realizing the goals set in the Constitution and the dreams of the stalwarts of India’s freedom struggle.  We are grateful to our Kissans, mazdoors, industrialists and traders for their unstinted support in taking the state to the path of progress and prosperity.  Punjab, being predominately an agricultural State helped the Nation by contributing maximum foodgrains in the Central Pool.

The unprecedented contribution of Punjab to the cause of Freedom of our country is unmatched anywhere in the history of the world. The great martyrs Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai, Sahaheed Udham Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Dewan Singh Kalepani, and many more who shed every drop of their blood and had languished in jails, have left a rich legacy for all of us which demands unbounded love and respect of our motherland besides firm commitment to preserve India’s glory.

I am  confident that the people of Punjab and Chandigarh, who have always been torchbearers in every movement for change, will emerge as role models for the rest of the Country.

Let us renew our pledge, on this historic day, to rededicate ourselves to the ideals of nationalism and of patriotism and to work, with commitment, dedication, faith and confidence to make Punjab, Chandigarh and the country strong and vibrant.

My dear citizens, let me once again wish you a very purposeful and happy Republic Day.

May God bless you.

Jai Hind.”