Punjab Newspaper

The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today asked the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to name the International Terminal at Mohali as “Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh International Airport.”
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Badal said that the decision of the Government of India of setting up the International Civil Terminal coincides with the historic occasion of the 100th Birth Anniversary of the great martyr. “The whole nation, “said Mr. Badal, “is observing the anniversary as an event of national pride and patriotism. The great hero is an icon of human spirit not just to the Punjabis and Indians but to the entire mankind.”
It may be recalled that the Punjab Government had earlier asked the Union Government to name the Chandigarh Airport as Sardar Bhagat Singh Airport.
In his letter today, Mr. Badal said, “no tribute would be great enough for the Shaheed-e-Azam but as a token of national respect and recognition, it would be appropriate to name an International Monument in the country after his name. The decision to set up an International Airport in his home state would be the right occasion to do this,” said Mr. Badal.
The Chief Minister further said that the entire country would join us in commemorating the anniversary of one of the greatest heroes of all times through this gesture.”
Mr. Badal’s letter comes in the wake of the decision of the Government of India to go ahead with setting up the International Civil Terminal at Mohali despite objections from several quarters. Nevertheless, Mr. Badal thanked everyone, including the neighbouring states for extending help in making this dream possible.

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