'Strengthen cultural glory of country'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, JAN.26. The Haryana Governor, Mr.Babu Parmanand,hoisted the National Flag and inspected the Guard of Honour at the State-level Republic Day function at Narnaul today.

In his address, he urged the people to rededicate themselves to the task of preserving, protecting and strengthening the ancient cultural glory, unity and integrity of the country.

Paying rich tributes to martyrs, patriots and freedom fighters, the Governor said `India is our country and we ourselves are to build it without depending on others...'

The Governor also conferred the State Bravery Award on Master Sachin Sihag of Panchkula for displaying exemplary bravery by locking a tiger in a room when it entered their house.

Lauding the multi-dimensional progress made by the country in general and Haryana in particular in every field of development, the Governor said the small State had become a trend-setter by introducing new education, industrial and Information Technology policies.

Babu Parmanand lamented that a number of people in India were still living below poverty line. The gap between the poor and the rich was widening day by day. Millions of people were illiterate. There was a strong need to provide education, employment, housing and land to citizens and ensuring equal rights for women was imperative. He also called for eradication of corruption,indiscipline and terrorism for creation of an egalitarian society.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, Mr. Om Prakash Chautala, announced waiver of surcharge and interest on the pending arrears of power bills up to January 31,provided such consumers paid their current power bills regularly from February this year. The rural people could pay their arrears in four half- yearly installments in May and November while the urban people would have to pay the amount in four quarterly installments.

Speaking after unfurling the national flag at Jhajjar today, he said this benefit had been given only to the owners of tubewells, small shopkeepers, domestic and non-domestic consumers.

Paying glowing tributes to the known and unknown martyrs who laid down their lives in the struggle for freedom, he said the State Government was implementing the policies of making rural areas prosperous.He waxed eloquent over the setting up of Gram Vikas Samitis, which he claimed would usher in speedy rural development.

The State had decided to observe January 30, martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi, as Cleanliness day, Mr. Chautala declared. He along with his Cabinet colleagues, MPs, MLAs, leaders of various political parties and social organisations would launch a cleanliness drive all over the State.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Other States
Previous : Revival of socialist politics in Bihar?
Next     : French author opens clinic for gas victims