The City Headlines
Ludhiana, March 16
Bhagwant Mann has taken oath as the Chief Minister of Punjab today. A grand ceremony was organized in Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.
In his first speech as the Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann said that his government would generate more employment opportunities in the state, so that none had to abroad for better earnings.
However, the irony is that in Khatkar Kalan village, from where he was speaking all of this, over 100 families are abroad.
As per the reports, most of the families of Khatkar Kalan village are settled in countries like England, US, and Canada. There are reportedly 400 families in Khatkar Kalan. Of those, as many as 125 families have settled abroad. Their houses are locked and they visit once or twice in years.
Sarpanch of the village Kulwinder Singh reportedly said, “Because of lack of jobs in the village, most of the families had gone abroad. Later, they even called their relatives there.”
Migrants taking care of houses
Hundreds of migrants from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are taking care of the houses of those settled abroad. Other than that, some houses are being taken care of by the relatives of the people who have gone abroad.
Complaints with political parties
Many residents of the village have also complained about the former ruling governments. They have said that they did not let bus services come to the village. Other than that, they complained that the government did not look after the sewage systems, sports centres and grouds. Some even said that the political leaders come here for their party and personal gains. They did not do anything for the village.
Hopes from Bhagwant Mann
The village residents said that they have high expectations from Bhagwant Mann as Shaheed Bhagat Singh is his idol. He has also promised to focus on the issue of brain drain in Punjab. And the village residents are also expecting some improvement in this regard.
Bhagwant Mann had already decided that he would take the CM oath at Khatkar Kalan village. Today also, addressing the people present at the venue, he said that Khatkar Kalan should not only be remembered on March 23 (Bhagat Singh’s Death Anniversary) and September 28 (Bhagat Singh’s birth anniversary).
