DW BUREAU / Sarabha (Ludhiana) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday batted for conferring Bharat Ratna award to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha and other legendary martyrs who had sacrificed their lives during the national freedom struggle. Addressing the gathering here during a state level function to mark the martyrdom day of the Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha here at his native village, the Chief Minister said that bestowing the Bharat Ratna award to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai and others will enhance the prestige of this award. He said that these great martyrs really deserve this award because they had made supreme sacrifices for emancipating the country from foreign clutches, adding he urged the Government of India (GoI) to confer this award to them. Bhagwant Mann also demanded national martyr status for Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha adding that the state government will flag this issue with the centre. The Chief Minister said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government, the Mohali airport has been named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh. He said that a notification to this regard has already been issued by the Union government. Bhagwant Mann further said that naming the airports, universities and other institutions in the name of these iconic martyrs is important to perpetuate their glorious legacy. The Chief Minister said that the state government will soon complete the construction work of the civil air terminal at Halwara airport. He said that this work will be accomplished at a cost of around Rs 50 crore over an area of 161 acre. Bhagwant Mann said that this project will further put Punjab on the map of air connectivity and save time, money and energy of the commuters. The Chief Minister said that the state government is duty bound to carve out a progressive and prosperous Punjab for welfare of every section of society, as envisioned by the legendary martyr. He envisioned that the civil air terminal would give impetus to the economic growth of the state in general and that of the Ludhiana district in particular. Bhagwant Mann said that along with putting the state on a high growth trajectory this will also open new avenues of employment for the youth. The Chief Minister also announced to transform the Government Senior Secondary School at village Sarabha into 'school of eminence'. He said that it will be a real tribute to the young martyr who laid his life at the altar of motherland at a young age. Bhagwant Mann reiterated that his government is fully committed to cherish the aspirations of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, who had sacrificed his life at the altar of motherland during the fight against Britishers. The Chief Minister said that the state government has been making all out efforts for promoting sports across the state to channelize the unbounded energy of youth in a positive manner. He said that Khedan Watan Punjab Dian, which will conclude on Thursday at Ludhiana, is a right step towards this direction. Bhagwant Mann said that these games have provided a platform to the players for showcasing their talent. Extending an invitation to people to attend the closing ceremony of these games at Guru Nanak Stadium Ludhiana, the Chief Minister said that these games are part of the state government's initiative to restore the pristine glory of the state in fields of sports. He said that the state government is leaving no stone unturned to popularize sports in the state as it can play a key role in the progress of the state. Bhagwant Mann said that it is the need of hour to encourage more budding players to excel in the field of sports adding that Punjab has abundant sports talent and the Punjab government would not leave any stone unturned to enable the players to participate and win Olympic medals for India. Earlier, the Chief Minister also visited the ancestral house of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha and paid floral tributes to the martyr. (editor@dailyworld.in)