The chief minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, reiterated his demand to name Ludhiana Airport, also called Halwara Airport, after martyr Kartar Singh Sarabha.
The Punjab chief minister wrote a letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, recalling that the Punjab assembly had unanimously passed an official resolution on March 22, 2023, urging the Ministry of Civil Aviation to name the upcoming international airport at Indian Airforce Station, Halwara in Ludhiana as ‘Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha International Airport’.
He stated that by the end of this month, the airport’s temporary terminal building is expected to be completed. He further said that he had also made a request to the former Union Civil Aviation Minister in this regard, and that flights are anticipated to begin from the airport before the end of the year.
CM Mann stated that since this issue is connected with the emotions of Punjabis, he had personally brought it up with him.
He recalled that naming the airport after martyr Kartar Singh Sarabha will be a humble way to tribute the legendary martyr who gave his life in defence of the nation. He said that Sarabha has been an inspiration for young generations since ages to work selflessly for their country. As an active leader of the ‘Ghadar party’, he tirelessly strove to achieve freedom first abroad and then within the country, saying that the great martyr was instrumental in freeing the nation from the grip of foreign imperialism.
Mann went on to say that honouring these famous heroes with the names of airports, colleges and other institutions is crucial to upholding their wonderful heritage. He also mentioned that emulating great national leaders with the names of these facilities can encourage our young people to serve their country selflessly.
(with PTI inputs)