Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday said the state has always been a repository of art, culture and literature, and described preserving its history as an important responsibility.
He was speaking at the release of the 1,980-page book Punjab Da Itihaas at Punjab Kala Bhawan in Chandigarh.
Mann said Punjab had played an extraordinary role in the freedom struggle and continued to make a major contribution to the country, from food security to economic development.
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He said the state government was working to preserve Punjab’s cultural legacy and keep younger generations connected with their roots.
Calling Punjab a cradle of civilisation and culture since time immemorial, Mann said documenting a land that had seen centuries of triumphs, upheavals and transformation was a major task.
He said, “Only those nations survive which preserve their culture, while those that ignore their glorious past gradually lose their identity. This is why the state government is making concerted efforts to preserve Punjab’s rich cultural legacy and ensure that the younger generations remain connected with their roots.”
He also spoke about the legacy of the Sikh Gurus, saying, “Punjabis have inherited a glorious legacy of sacrifice and valour from the great Sikh Guru Sahiban. They taught us to fight against tyranny, oppression and injustice. This spirit has remained an integral part of the Punjabi character.”
Recalling the sacrifices made during the freedom struggle, Mann said the contribution of Punjab and its people to the national movement was extraordinary.
“More than 80 per cent of the sacrifices in India’s freedom struggle were made by Punjabis, despite the fact that they constituted merely around 2 per cent of the country’s population. The major movements associated with the freedom struggle were spearheaded by brave Punjabis,” he said.
Mann added that after Independence as well, Punjabis had remained central to the country’s progress, from guarding the nation’s borders to contributing to its economic development.
Highlighting Punjab’s role in agriculture, Mann said that despite rice not being the staple food of Punjabis, the state was once again set to contribute a record 180 lakh metric tonnes of paddy to the national food pool this year.
He said Punjab was not only the country’s food bowl but had also produced several entrepreneurs and industrialists who had played an important role in shaping the modern economy of India and the state.
Mann said Punjab’s history, culture, sacrifices and achievements were a matter of pride for every Punjabi and must be preserved for future generations, as he used the release of Punjab Da Itihaas to underline the state’s place in the country’s cultural, historical and economic life.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
