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01 Nov 2010-HOSHIARPUR: The Sikh Youth of Punjab Monday organized a road show to commemorate the 44th foundation day of the present Punjab.
The show was named as Lalkar rally and was aimed to raise the voice in promoting and protecting Punjabi language and Sikh culture from all internal and external onslaughts. The message of the rally was clear and loud: Respect your culture and language and then only the world will respect you’.
Around 200 youths associated with the SYP riding on motorcycles and cars with placards and saffron flags started from Tanda town and concluded at Hoshairpur where speeches were delivered.
Urging the youth to unite for the welfare of the society, the president of the youth body Gurpreet Singh Mann emphasized on the need to focus on education and skill development. He supported the KAC’s call for Punjab Bandh on Nov 3.
The group honored veteran leader Saroop Singh Tuli who faced long detentions during the struggle for Punjabi Suba.
As a guest speaker, Dal Khalsa president H S Dhami exhorted the youth to be on the forefront to lead the movement against drug menace and apostasy to its logical end. He was of the view that youth should not shy away from politics. He said it was not possible to solve any problem without politics and therefore it was "absolutely necessary that youth should join it.
However, he was quick to add that youth should not indulge in political rhetoric rather work effectively for justice and truth without any sense of malice in their hearts. He emphasized that all human beings want freedom and the right to determine their own destiny.
Since the occasion was 44th anniversary of formation of Punjab, the organization voiced its concern against the heavy influx of migrant labour and continued loot of state’s water wealth. “The continuing influx of migrant settlers, lured by economic bribes is severely altering the state’s demography and damaging Punjabi language and culture”.
The Dal Khalsa general secretary, Kanwar Pal Singh called upon the international community to take notice of the plight of the Sikhs whohad been denied justice. Giving a clarion call to all communities to observe the bandh on Nov 3, he said the 1984 events left a deep scar on the psyche of the Sikh people.
Former head of SYP Ranbir Singh also spoke on the occasion.
and Elsewhere:
SAD-BJP govt in Punjab forgets to celebrate Punjab DayPunjab Newsline Network
01 Nov 2010-CHANDIGRH:
By Satinder BainsSAD-BJP government in Punjab led by Parkash Singh Badal on Monday forget to celebrate Punjab Day, the November 1, 1966 when Punjab and Haryana were biufurcated from joint Punjab and two states were born.
Every year, both Punjab and Haryana celebrate the day at state level. Though Haryana remembered the day, Punjab government mired with political controversies forgot to keep the date. Punjab Chief Minister who was at his residence in Chandigarh didnt bother to commemorate the day. The state government which is in the habit of issuing full page advertisements for even petty religious affairs completely ignored the Punjab Day also on that front. The whereabouts of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal were not known.
There was no formal observation of Punjab Day in the state civil secretariate even though all senior officers including Chief Secretary were present in the office. In sharp contradiction Haryana has honoured all the winners of Commonwealth games during state level function held at Panipat. The opposition party, Congress also ignored the Punjab Day and no ceremony was held at Congress Bhawan here. Punjab Youth Congress however in a symbolic way started Nav Inqalab Pad Yatra on this day. The yatra will cover 69 assembly constituencies, all district headquarters covering 1200 kms in next 45 days.
Hira Singh Gabria, the art and culture minister of Punjab who is key man to organise such functions was whole day busy in shopping at Trade Fair in sector 17 Chandigarh.
Sukhpal Singh Khaira Congress MLA from Bholath in a statement siad that it was saddening to note that the Akali’s lead by Badal failed to celebrate Punjab Day, meaning thereby we have literally forgotten the heroes of yester years, who sacrificed and struggled to create the present Punjab in 1966 after a prolonged agitation. Although Mr. Badal and his family are reaping what these comrades of Punjabi Suba struggle had sowed.