Ludhiana, February 1
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has reiterated his demand to the Union Government to name the Halwara Airport after legendary martyr Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, calling it a fitting tribute to one of the youngest icons of India’s freedom struggle. The Chief Minister also urged the Centre to further strengthen international connectivity from Mohali Airport, while asserting that Punjab is steadily moving towards a moment where all four of its airports will bear the names of the state’s revered Gurus and martyrs, seamlessly linking modern infrastructure with the state’s spiritual and revolutionary legacy.
Raising the issue in the presence of Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu during the virtual inauguration of the airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mann stated, “Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha laid down his life for the motherland when he was just 19 years old. His supreme sacrifice inspired millions to rise against British imperialism, and even Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh regarded him as his role model.”
The Chief Minister said that naming Halwara Airport after Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha would be a befitting honour to a martyr who hailed from the region and had gone to Berkeley University to pursue a career in aviation, but chose instead to return and dedicate his life to the freedom movement. “Punjab is the land of great Gurus, prophets, saints, seers and martyrs. Every inch of this sacred soil carries the imprint of their sacrifices,” he said.
Mann noted that if Halwara Airport is named after Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, two of Punjab’s four airports would be named after revered Gurus and two after martyrs. “Sri Guru Ramdass International Airport, Amritsar and Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji Airport, Adampur, are named after Gurus, while Shaheed Bhagat Singh Airport, Mohali and Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha Airport, Halwara, will commemorate our martyrs,” he said.
Congratulating the people on the Parkash Purab of Guru Ravidas, Mann said it was a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that Adampur Airport has been named after the great proponent of the Bhakti movement. “The path shown by Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji to create an egalitarian society is the core pillar of our government’s commitment to serve the masses,” he said, adding that it was a historic day for Punjab as the Prime Minister dedicated two airports to the people on this auspicious occasion.
Highlighting the strategic importance of Halwara Airport, the Chief Minister said it has played a significant role over the years and has been used by the armed forces during critical operations. He expressed gratitude to the Indian Armed Forces for their contribution in developing the terminal at Halwara, which has now been dedicated to the public. “The state government will hold deliberations with the Government of India in the coming days to enhance connectivity from this airport,” he said.
