Bathinda: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday paid floral tributes to freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai on his 161st birth anniversary at his birthplace, Dhudike in Moga district, and announced to transform it into a full-fledged model village, with time-bound delivery of sewerage, ponds, playgrounds and basic infrastructure. Mann said earlier govts confined themselves to drawing up plans, but his govt would ensure visible work on the ground within a year. Known as ‘Punjab Kesari’ (lion of Punjab), Lala Lajpat Rai was seriously injured while opposing the Simon Commission in India and succumbed to his injuries on Nov 17, 1928.Mann pledged to return for “Lala Ji’s next birth anniversary with the projects completed”. He also joined villagers for a rural sports fest in which kabaddi and hockey were played. He said that the legacy of the great nationalist, who played a pivotal role in the Indian freedom struggle, continues to inspire youth.Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema, MLAs Manjit Singh Bilaspur, Devinder Singh Laddi Dhos, Amritpal Singh Sukhanand, and Amandeep Kaur accompanied the CM.At the 150th birth anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai on Jan 28, 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi planned to visit Dhudike, but the visit was shelved at the last moment due to unavoidable circumstances. MSID:: 127712134 413 |
