Remembering Bhagat Singh, Rajguru & Sukhdev

Glowing tributes were paid to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev on their 77th martyrdom day across Punjab and Haryana on Sunday with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal announcing that the martyr's native village would be developed into a 'Mecca of martyrs'.

Bhagat Singh and his two associates went to the gallows together on this day in 1931.

Addressing a function to mark the occasion in Nawanshahr, Badal disclosed his plans to give a facelift to the museum at the martyr's village Khatkar Kallan where portraits of all freedom fighters including those of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev besides other memorabilia will be put on display.

"It would apprise the younger generation about our supreme legacy of nationalism and patriotism," the chief minister said.

Bemoaning the plight of the common man even after 60 years of independence, Badal said it was sad that an India free from the maladies of illiteracy, unemployment and starvation, as envisioned by our freedom fighters, was is still unfulfilled.

Asking the Centre and State governments to take pledge on this day to undertake programmes and schemes exclusively for the development and welfare of the common man, he said it will be a real tribute to our national heroes.

At another function held at the samadhi of the martyr in Ferozepur Badal announced that research on the contribution and sacrifice of Punjabis during various wars and freedom struggles, right from the Mughal period will soon be started in the universities of Punjab.

Badal also said the state government has resolved to develop the national martyrs' memorial as a major source of tourist attraction so that their sacrifices continue to inspire the generations to come.

The chief minister also honoured 11 eminent freedom fighters besides the nephews and other family members of Bhagat Singh on this occasion.

Paying tribute to the martyrs at Karnal Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that the whole nation was indebted to them and their supreme sacrifices cannot be forgotten.