Punjab Govt. is not Against ‘Udta Punjab’

The Punjab Government, both the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP, who have always stood for freedom of expression and fought for it, have been in for a rude surprise when other political parties framed them for their SAD-BJP Alliance in stalling the release of the Shahid Kapoor starrer - Udta Punjab.

The movie that revolves around the lives of ShahidKapoor, KareenaKapoor, Alia Bhatt and DaljitDosanjh, set against a drug-infused state of Punjab, has stirred chaos and controversy all over the country, as the Central Board of Film Certification had declared a ban on the release of the movie for showing Punjab in a fake and poor light.According to the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and ShiromaniAkali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, his opponents are spreading lies and rumours about his government's involvement in the ban, and claimed that such reports were a publicity stunt.

Rubbishing the Punjab Government' s influence on the CBFC, for clearing the film with 13 cuts and an 'A' certificate, Sukhbir said that the government has nothing to do with it as countless movies are produced for commercial purposes and it is the CBFC's call to allow its release or not.The film sure has various vulgar scenes, bad abusive language and insulting comments towards the state of Punjab like, Punjabis are ‘kanjar’ and their land is ‘banjar’ (barren). These are the reasons as to why the CBFC considered the film unfit for public release. According to the Deputy CM, he would not pre-judge the issue before the film was out in the market. As the Punjab Government always supports social and psychological issues that attempt to correct the distorted picture of society and culture.Having identified the drug-issue prevalent in Punjab a long time back, and taking various measures to curb it, the Punjab Government is in all favour of the movie and provides thematic support to the all-out war against drugs.

Ready to welcome the movie and even support similar films if portrayed accurately, the government and ruling alliance had nothing to do with the ‘Udta Punjab’ controversy as their name is being dragged into the row for vested interests.Projecting Punjab as a drug state is unfortunate as Punjab has been fighting a war on drugs for which the supply line with its roots emanating from across the border is being busted with help of paramilitary forces. Instead of supporting the government with their mission, authorities have been pointing fingers at them.

Highlighting the importance of awareness of ill effects of drugs, the government expressed their concern and advised parents to spend quality time with their children and a keep an eye on them as any temptation towards drug abuse can be caught in the initial stages and steps to prevent further use can be taken. The government also pleads that their mission alone cannot make Punjab a drug-free state unless and until stakeholders of the society pitch in to root out the menace from the state.

When politician turns into professional marketing Executive

Chandigarh, March 3: When Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal took up the mike in the conference hall of a 5-star hotel in Chandigarh on the completion of  nine years in office of the Akali Dal led government on March 2 afternoon to present the report card and thereby remove all the misconceptions and in the process change total perception of the people, he was there as a professional marketing executive and not just a politician resorting to rhetoric  to sell the achievements. Sukhbir, during his  hour long presentation, left no room for any searching questions from the incisive media persons.

For years, the opposition has been playing up the so called increasing debt burden and this was the major issue that was raked up by the erstwhile People’s Party of Punjab   the remnants of which have now merged with the Congress.  The issue was presented as some big crisis looming over the state that might affect even the coming generations. Sukhbir presented comparative facts and figures to hammer the point that several other states in the country, including neighbouring Haryana, has incurred much higher debt burden but these states  have never earned the tag of being bankrupt.  He quoted figures even from USA and Japan to reinforce his argument  against Punjab being maligned  by the opposition as debt stressed. But then more important is comparison with other states in the country.

Interestingly, Punjab is laying its first concrete road to Bathinda via Sunam and Mansa and the machinery has been imported from Germany. The output is construction of  iron and concrete road at the rate of one km per four days. Strangely, the state government has never tried to project it as another milestone in road construction technology. High time that media persons from Chandigarh are taken to the sight to show them the pace and quality of work.

The target is to widen the entire highway network to four and six lane. Even major link road is to be widened to 33 feet.  Punjab is going to emerge in the country with best road network within two years. It may be mentioned that Punjab earlier  had the distinction of being the first state in the country to provide road access to all the villages.  It is the infrastructure development that is basic to the progress of the state. The effort is to change the very face of Punjab.

Yet another important aspect that he took up in details was the so called drug problem thereby pointing out that the seizures in this state have been the highest as compared to other states in the country. Punjab is on the transit route and it can be rightly claimed that in case the police had not been that active, the amount that has been seized during the last few years would have caused havoc in the country.

While both the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party are depending upon election strategists, Sukhbir has evolved as a better  marketing man and if possible, he should make such presentations in all the major cities like Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, Bathinda and Ferozepur as that would be the best campaigning to project government achievements. Political part is different.

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POLITICS IS THE WAY FORWARD

The Punjab government is also taking some or the other initiative in order to ensure that the state is developing. The government is always actively involved with the welfare activities of the state. The ministers are always involved in activities to bring betterment in their constituencies.

The Punjab government has recently banned the sale of army uniforms across the state. This measure has been taken by the government in order to ensure that nobody misuses the identity of the army for their personal benefits.

The army uniform will now be sold only to those who will submit a self attested copy of their identity cards. With all these measures, the government of Punjab is also ensuring proper security in the state.

The government has also banned the use of red and blue coloured stickers used by the police on vehicles. With all this, the government has also issued orders to prohibit the use of plates of political parties on vehicles with immediate effect. The state government is doing every bit to ensure that no individual in the state tries to disguise himself.

Punjab government has also taken strict steps. They government has appointed a nodal officer at district-level for checking illegal mining as well as for timely and effective redressal of complaints. Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat said that a nodal officer had been appointed at district-level for checking illegal mining.

Recently, the railway ministry has given nod to railway over bridge (ROB) on Bhai Bakhtaur village railway crossing on Mansa road on the Delhi-Bathinda railway track. This ROB over the Bhawanigarh-Bhikhi-Kotshamir Road will bring the much needed respite for commuters on this stretch and add to the feather of best infrastructure in state.

Interacting with the various religious heads during the inauguration of Vishav Dharam Sewa Shanti Mission, The Punjab Chief Minister said that every religion teaches us to ensure the well being of every human being. 

He said that Sri Guru Granth Sahib was a unique religious granth which has the bani of Bhagats, saints and seers besides the great Sikh Gurus.  Lauding the enormous contribution of Mission in doing the public service under the leadership of Sant Baba Lakha Singh Nanaksar Kaleranwale, the Chief Minister also recalled the valuable contribution of the mission in the social and religious fields. Mr. Badal said that the mission was playing a key role in undertaking several philanthropic works for serving the mankind adding that the mission was propagating the message of universal love and brotherhood amongst the people. 

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Progressive Punjab, sukhbir singh badal, Developing Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Punjabi Virsa, Shiromani Akali Dal, Punjab Insights, Bikram Singh Majithia, Punjab Youth