Punjab writing new chapter of progress while preserving its history: CM Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday said the state was writing a new chapter of progress while preserving its rich history, culture and legacy of sacrifice.

Mann made the remarks while releasing the three-volume, 1,980-page book Punjab Da Itihaas at Punjab Kala Bhawan. He said documenting the history of a land that had witnessed centuries of triumphs, upheavals and transformation was a major responsibility.

“Punjab has always been a repository of art, culture and literature. Since time immemorial, this land has been the cradle of civilisation and culture, and hardworking and brave Punjabis have witnessed numerous pages of history unfold here. It is our collective responsibility to preserve this glorious legacy,” he said.

The Chief Minister said societies that preserved their culture were better placed to retain their identity, while those that ignored their past risked losing touch with their roots. He said the state government was working to preserve Punjab’s cultural heritage and ensure younger generations remained connected to it.

Highlighting Punjab’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle, Mann said Punjabis had made an extraordinary contribution despite the state’s relatively small population.

He claimed that more than 80 per cent of the sacrifices in India’s freedom struggle were made by Punjabis, although they constituted around two per cent of the country’s population. He said major movements associated with the freedom struggle had been spearheaded by Punjabis.

Mann also highlighted Punjab’s contribution to India’s food security, saying the state’s farmers had played a crucial role in making the country self-reliant in food production.

“Even this year, Punjab will supply more than 180 lakh metric tonnes of paddy to the national food pool,” he said.

The Chief Minister noted that rice was not traditionally a staple food of Punjabis, yet the state had emerged as one of the country’s biggest contributors of paddy to the national food pool.

He said Punjabis had continued to contribute to the country’s progress after Independence, from safeguarding the nation’s borders to strengthening its economy. Punjab, he added, had also produced entrepreneurs and industrialists who had contributed to India’s modern economic development.

Mann said the state’s history of resilience, sacrifice, culture and achievement was a source of pride for Punjabis and needed to be preserved for future generations.

He described documenting Punjab’s past as a collective responsibility, particularly for a state that had experienced “every kind of ups and downs” while continuing to make a significant contribution to the country.