SUNAM UDHAM SINGH WALA-On the Shaheedi Diwas of the great revolutionary Shaheed Udham Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday dedicated development projects worth over ₹107 crore to his birthplace, Sunam, including the Sant Attar Singh Maharaj Armed Forces Preparatory Institute, Trauma Centre, Medicines Warehouse and Blood Bank, and paid floral tributes to the legendary freedom fighter at the state-level commemorative function.
During the gathering, the Chief Minister said that building the Punjab and India envisioned by the martyrs requires collective effort, adding that providing quality education, healthcare and employment while eliminating corruption would be the truest tribute to the nation’s freedom fighters. He also asserted that the Aam Aadmi Party government is working at the grassroots to fulfil the dreams of the martyrs and cautioned people against attempts to disturb Punjab’s communal harmony ahead of the elections.
Addressing the gathering after dedicating and laying the foundation stone of the projects, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann thanked the people for attending the event in such large numbers despite the scorching heat. “Today is a big day as a state-level function is being organised to commemorate the martyrdom day of Shaheed Udham Singh Ji. The Punjab Government has chosen this pious land of Sunam, where Shaheed Udham Singh Ji was born. Since childhood, I have been visiting this land with my father, ” he said.
TheChief Minister shared, “When I went to England for the first time in 1993, I especially visited Caxton Hall where Shaheed Udham Singh Ji had shot O’Dwyer after a wait of 21 years.”
Referring to his government’s commitment towards the ideals of the freedom fighters, the Chief Minister said, “The AAP Government is fully committed to realising the dreams of the martyrs and heroes of the national freedom struggle. Even after around 80 years of Independence, the country is still not able to fulfil the dreams of the great national leaders. However, from the very first day of assuming office, our government has been working on a fast track to fulfil their dreams, ”
Referring to the development projects dedicated to the people of Sunam, the Chief Minister said, “Development projects worth ₹107.78 crore have been dedicated to the people of Sunam on the martyrdom day of the great freedom fighter Shaheed Udham Singh Ji. These projects include an Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for youth aspiring to become defence officers, a Trauma Centre for accident victims, a Blood Bank and a Medicines Warehouse, ” he said.
“The foundation stone of the Sant Attar Singh Maharaj Armed Forces Preparatory Institute has been laid at Cheema village. The project will be developed at a cost of ₹98.68 crore, ” he added.
Speaking about the institute, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The institute is being established on 13.42 acres with a total covered area of 2, 62, 542 square feet. It will provide world-class training facilities for the youth of Punjab, especially the Malwa region, to prepare for careers in the Armed Forces. The institute will prepare students for recruitment into the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and other security forces. Residential accommodation will be available for 500 cadets, and separate modern hostels will be constructed for 250 boys and 250 girls, ” he added.
Continuing to elaborate on the Armed Forces Preparatory Institute, the Chief Minister stated, “The campus will include smart digital classrooms, an administrative block, library, study hall and a 300-seat auditorium. Additional facilities will include an open-air theatre, canteen and dining hall. Sports infrastructure will feature two basketball courts, two volleyball courts, a swimming pool, hockey and football grounds, a squash court, a modern gymnasium, a parade ground and specialised physical training facilities.”
“The institute will provide advanced training in discipline, leadership, physical fitness and competitive examinations. It reflects the Punjab Government’s vision of nurturing a skilled, disciplined and nation-serving generation of youth, ” said the Chief Minister.
Referring to the Trauma Centre, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “A Trauma Centre has been established to provide emergency healthcare services to the people of Sunam and surrounding areas. The project has been completed at a cost of ₹5 crore and its primary objective is to provide timely and quality treatment during the ‘Golden Hour’ after road accidents, helping save precious lives.”
“The centre has a 10-bed Emergency and Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and 24×7 emergency services will be available for patients requiring immediate medical attention. Modern facilities include ventilators, an operation theatre, digital X-ray and CT scan services. The centre will be staffed with orthopaedic specialists, surgeons, experienced nurses and trained technicians, ” he added.
Speaking about the Medicines Warehouse, the Chief Minister said, “A Medicines Warehouse has been established in Sunam at a cost of ₹3.68 crore. Its primary purpose is to ensure backup storage and uninterrupted supply of essential medicines to government hospitals and Aam Aadmi Clinics.”
“The warehouse includes a modern cold chain system and cold storage facilities for insulin injections and other temperature-sensitive medicines. It will ensure timely medicine supply to government hospitals and Aam Aadmi Clinics in Sangrur district and nearby areas. Adequate stocks of medicines provided free of cost by the AAP Government will be maintained, ensuring timely availability for patients, ” he added.
Referring to the Blood Bank established at Sunam, the Chief Minister said, “A modern Blood Bank has been established in Sunam at a cost of ₹42.19 lakh. It has been set up to ensure the immediate availability of safe blood during emergencies. The Blood Bank will provide timely blood support for emergency patients, surgeries, pregnant women and children suffering from thalassemia. It has a storage capacity of 100 to 150 blood units, and a component separator enables the separation of red blood cells, plasma and platelets from a single unit of blood, allowing multiple patients to benefit, ” he added.
“A fully automated testing laboratory has been established to ensure blood safety by screening for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and other infectious diseases. The Blood Bank will serve not only Sunam but also the surrounding villages and the entire region, proving to be a major healthcare asset. The Punjab Government is committed to perpetuating the glorious legacy of the great national leaders, ” he added.
In his address, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora lauded the Chief Minister for dedicating such a major package of development projects to the people of Sunam.
“These projects will go a long way in preserving the glorious heritage of the state and its iconic heroes. The Punjab Government is committed to the well-being of every section of society, ” they said.
Among those present on the occasion were senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia, Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Harpal Singh Cheema, Barinder Kumar Goel and Dr. Balbir Singh, besides others.