AJNALA: The 118th birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh was celebrated with great enthusiasm here today and candle march. Amidst the slogans of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Zindabad, Inquilab Zindabad, Down with Communalism and Imperialism, the people of Punjab were called upon to walk on the path shown by Bhagat Singh to build a society based on equality and to become aware of social evils like illiteracy, female foeticide, superstition, pollution, etc., for the welfare of Punjab, the nation, and humanity.
The candle march was led by the chief guest of the Shaheed Bhagat Singh birthday celebrations organized by the Trust – eminent social worker, Education Revolution Coordinator, Advocate Amandeep Kaur Dhaliwal (daughter of former Punjab Cabinet Minister and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal), along with Trust President S. Parshotam, Ajnala Nagar Panchayat President Bhatti Jaspal Singh Dhillon, Chairman Amit Aul, former Chairman & Sarpanch Rupinder Singh Ruby Gujhapir, former Vice Chairman Baljinder Singh Nipal, jointly.
Earlier, at the site of detention of 282 martyrs of the “Kaliyan Wala Khooh” (well of the black waters) from the 1857 First War of Independence at the old Tehsil (fort) in Ajnala, a moving ceremony was held. Trust President S. S. Parshotam inaugurated the event by narrating the emotional account of Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s birth, his struggle-filled life, his efforts to gain recognition for Indians as a nation, and his smiling martyrdom for freedom and democracy, instilling patriotic spirit among the audience.
Chief guest Advocate Amandeep Kaur Dhaliwal offered floral tributes and appealed to the people of Punjab to spread Bhagat Singh’s ideology to every household and keep the younger generation aware against communal and imperialist forces. Without naming Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, she expressed that the Punjab government is implementing the true essence of political change envisioned by Bhagat Singh – by working towards development, employment, health, education, and politics of communal harmony.
On behalf of her father and constituency MLA S. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, she officially announced that the demand raised by Trust President S. S. Parshotam, with a show of hands from the audience, to install a statue of Bhagat Singh in Ajnala city has been accepted. Soon, Bhagat Singh’s statue will be installed in Ajnala with reverence. The announcement was greeted with applause and slogans of Inquilab Zindabad.
The event was also addressed by Rupinder Singh Ruby Gujhapir (former Market Committee Chairman & Sarpanch), Baljinder Singh Nipal (former Vice Chairman), farmer leader Kabal Singh Cheena, urban leader & Chairman Amit Aul, women leader Gurdeep Kaur Ajnala, Davinder Singh Sonu, and others. They reiterated the pledge to adopt Bhagat Singh’s ideology and also urged the Punjab government to release funds for the preservation of the deteriorating historical building at Kaliyan Wala Khooh.
During the program, a sapling was planted jointly by Advocate Amandeep Kaur Dhaliwal, President S. S. Parshotam, Bhatti Jaspal Singh Dhillon, Amit Aul, and others, giving a call against pollution. A cake-cutting ceremony was also performed amidst slogans to celebrate Bhagat Singh’s birth anniversary
Renowned singer of Majha region, Deepak Kaushal, presented patriotic songs and added a revolutionary spirit to the event. Local singers and lyricists Surinder Ajnalvi and Darpindra also marked their presence.
In the concluding part of the ceremony, Advocate Amandeep Kaur Dhaliwal was honored with the Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Memorial Women’s Service Award 2025 for mobilizing women against social evils, focusing on children’s higher education, promoting economic self-reliance through self-help groups, and other dedicated social services. Other eminent personalities were honored with robes of honor (Siropas).