I am often asked what keeps me going for 10 years. I reply that it is the unfailing dedication of Umeed workers that inspires me to do more. In December, too, eight new self-groups, comprising 99 members, were formed. Sixty one SHGs started income generation activities and 13 savings accounts were opened. Our NGO also arranged a group loan of Rs 11, 75,000 and an individual loan of Rs 1, 80,000 which was given to four SHG members. Umeed helped five students, three in college and two in school, pursue their education.
The law and order situation in Punjab is deteriorating by the day. The government instead of taking action against criminals is attacking innocent citizens. A teacher was slapped by a village sarpanch and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is yet to take any action. To make matters worse, a group of people, who had gone to meet the CM to express their anguish about the incident, were lathi-charged by the police.
Such is the insecurity of the government that it is even controlling the cable network in the state and using it as a mouthpiece to further its agenda. PPC President Capt Amarinder Singh has sought the intervention of the Chief Election Commissioner of India in this regard and has urged him to ensure that there is a level-playing field for decimation of information through cable television network.
John F Kennedy, the slain US president, had once said, “Ask not what the country can do for you; ask what you can do for the country.” The words hold true more than ever today. In order to bring about social and political change, we should be the driving force. We should have the courage and conviction to fight injustice and ensure that we get a government that takes care of us. In this connection, the Congress has once again proved that welfare of the country tops its list of priority by passing the historic Lokpal bill in the Lok Sabha.
Meanwhile, the PPC manifesto was released in January. We will ensure that each and every promise made in it is implemented in letter and spirit. In fact, after coming to power in the state, the Congress will honour all the development programmes started by the Akali Dal government after reviewing them. It will continue with the free power scheme to farmers, besides providing subsidised aata-daal to the poor. The party will provide 200 units to each poor and dalit families, instead of the 100 units given by the Akali-BJP government.
Amid the gloom, news of the Punjab High Court verdict on the voting rights of Sehajdhari Sikhs brightened up my day. The court has set aside the government of India notification of October 2003 debarring them from casting votes in the elections to the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhik Committee (SGPC). This has vindicated our stand that no one has the right to divide the Sikh community on the lines of physical appearance.
It’s high time that the Akali Dal-SAD government, which has dragged the state to the pits, is shown the door. I am humbled that the Congress chose me to be one of the harbingers of change in the state. I am fully prepared for the challenges that will come in the way.
Let us together script one of the most defining moment in Punjab’s history
I once again wish you all a Happy New Year.
