Ludhiana: Punjab’s public works minister, Harbhajan Singh ETO, hailed the city as the “backbone of Punjab’s economy” during the 77th Republic Day district-level celebrations held at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) sports ground on Monday.The minister unfurled the national flag and inspected an impressive march-past alongside deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain and police commissioner Swapan Sharma. Addressing the gathering, ETO underscored the city’s vital role in India’s industrial and agricultural landscapes. “Ludhiana remains globally recognised as a premier industrial hub,” the minister said. “With more than 2.98 lakh MSME registrations in the financial year 2022-23, Punjab secured the top position in North India, and this city contributed the lion’s share of that success.“
The minister confirmed that the long-awaited Halwara airport project is complete, with flight operations expected to commence by March. This is anticipated to significantly boost regional connectivity and industrial trade. The ex-gratia payment for families of Agniveers and police personnel killed in the line of duty has been doubled from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore.The new initiatives he highlighted also included the introduction of entrepreneurship in the Class-XI curriculum and the establishment of ‘Schools of Eminence’ to prepare students for competitive national examinations. The ceremony featured vibrant cultural performances from students representing 25 local schools, showcasing the nation’s diversity.In a tradition of honour, the minister felicitated 134 individuals for outstanding contributions to various sectors and distributed assistive devices, including tricycles and sewing machines, to those in need. The event concluded with the honouring of families of freedom fighters, reaffirming the state’s commitment to its historical legacy.
