CU Punjab Celebrates 78th Independence Day by Paying Tribute to Martyrs and Honoring Families of Bathinda Martyrs/Partition Victims

Bathinda : The Central University of Punjab celebrated India’s 78th Independence Day with a series of events, including honoring the families of martyrs from Bathinda, engaging with eyewitnesses of the Partition era, staging the play Vibhajan ki Vibhishika, and launching the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign.

Tribute to Martyrs and Honoring Families of Bathinda Heroes:

To mark this occasion, the university paid homage to the brave souls who laid down their lives for the nation. During the Independence Day ceremony held on campus, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari honored the families of Shaheed Kala Singh Ji (Kargil War, 2001), Shaheed Kuldeep Singh Ji (Jammu Attack, 2018), and Shaheed Bela Singh Ji (Indo-Pak War, 1971).

In the evening, Prof. Tiwari, along with students and staff, paid floral tributes to the statue of Martyr Nand Singh (1947) at Fauji Chowk, Bathinda. Following the tribute, a spirited Tiranga Rally was held, with participants marching from Fauji Chowk, chanting patriotic slogans like “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai.” The rally also featured honouring of the family of Shaheed Avtar Singh, who made the ultimate sacrifice in 2004 at the Indo-Pak border.

Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Plantation Drive:

On this Independence Day, the university fraternity, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, actively took part in the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam plantation drive to establish the Pavitra Vatika on campus. Over 400 saplings were planted, including species like banyan, peepal, neem, jacaranda, belpatra, ber, amla, and shisham.

Interaction with Partition Eyewitness and Enactment of Play “Vibhajan Ek Vibhishika”:

The university also hosted events to highlight the pain and suffering of millions affected by the Partition. Students had the opportunity to interact with Partition eyewitnesses, Baba Gurmeet Singh and Baba Nazar Singh, who shared their personal experiences of the trauma, loss, and separation caused by the Partition, offering a powerful connection between generations.

Additionally, the students of the Department of Performing and Fine Arts performed the play Vibhajan Ek Vibhishika on three separate occasions: during the Partition Horrors Remembrance Day Programme, the Independence Day Ceremony, and at Shaheed Avtar Singh’s family residence in Behman Diwana, Bathinda. Written by Dr. Prakash Jha and directed by Dr. Kulin Kumar Joshi and Dr. Adish Kumar Verma, with Jay Tiwari as Assistant Director, the play vividly depicted the anguish and resilience of those who lived through the Partition. The compelling storytelling and powerful performances left a lasting impression on the audience.

In his address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari encouraged the youth to draw inspiration from the selfless sacrifices of the nation’s freedom fighters and martyrs. He emphasized the importance of patriotism, unity, and social harmony, especially in light of the tragic consequences of the Partition.

The Independence Day celebrations saw enthusiastic participation from university officials, faculty, staff, and students, demonstrating a strong sense of unity and national pride.