Punjab govt following footsteps of Maharaja Ranjit Singh:Badal

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today claimed the SAD-BJP alliance government in the state was following the footsteps of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to ensure the well being of every strata of society.
During a ceremony to gift the bust of Maharaja Ranjit Singh which is to be installed at French city of Saint Tropez to Deputy Mayor of Saint Tropez Henri Allard here, he said Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a great emperor who practiced the ethos of secularism and socialism in right earnest as propagated by our great Sikh gurus.
Badal said as an ardent Sikh, Maharaja Ranjit Singh ensured the welfare of all his subjects and even toured the state in disguise during night to feel the pulse of his subjects.

He said that following his footsteps the state government has initiated a number of pro-people schemes for welfare of every strata of society.
Badal said due to his love and affection towards people Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a true monarch of masses.
Thanking the France government and authorities of French tourist city Saint Tropez for their decision to install bust of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Chief Minister said it would further strengthen the ties between India and France.

Recalling the historic bond between both the countries especially between Punjab and France, he said great Sikh emperor Maharaja Ranjit Singh had chosen French warrior General Jean Franquis Allard to modernize his army to check the expansion of British Raj.

General Allard proved to be top general of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in due course of history and the Britishers were not able to annex Punjab till both of them were alive.
He said for the first time steps have been taken by state government to preserve rich cultural heritage of Punjab by construction of state of the art memorials like Virasat e Khalsa, Chappar Chiri War memorial.
"Punjabis have penchant of creating history but for the first time efforts have been taken to preserve it for our younger generations", Badal said.
He said as a humble tribute to Maharaja Ranjit Singh the state government has constructed a Technical University in his name at Bathinda.

He said Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Academy has been established at SAS Nagar to enable the youth to get recruitment in Armed forces.
Badal said more than, 50 candidates of the academy have been selected for Defence forces.
Speaking on the occasion, Henri Allard, the great grandson of General Allard, and Deputy Mayor of Saint Tropez said that this bust gifted by Punjab government would further cement the bond between both the countries.