Punjab Government will award medals and certificates of appreciation to the frontline workers after the war against corona will be over.

“Every war is followed by the grant of military honours…This practice would be followed at the end of the war against corona outbreak as well when the brave soldiers who fought against corona will be awarded medals and certificates of appreciation,” said Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Badal after spearheading efforts to express gratitude to those who are serving humanity so that the rest of the populace can stay safe.

Manpreet reached out to the medical and paramedical professionals, police personnel, and cleanliness workers in Bathinda on Monday. “This is perhaps the first-ever guard of honour in India meant exclusively for the medical and paramedical professionals,” said Manpreet while addressing them.

The ‘Guard of Honour’ is meant for the bravest of the brave and visiting dignitaries. “And here in Bathinda, we have presented a guard of

honour to doctors, medical and paramedical staff for their extraordinary bravery,” he said adding, “I think everyone in the country will follow this practice of arranging a special guard of honour to express their appreciation and gratefulness.”

The Finance Minister added that he was expressing the gratitude of all Punjabis to medics, police personnel, as well as cleanliness workers for their outstanding and extraordinary commitment and performance.

Manpreet said that he was doing so following directions of the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and he stands in front of all frontline workers and first responders on behalf of the state government as well as the entire state populace to thank them for their extraordinary work.

He complimented the police personnel for their inspiring work and appealed to all citizens to support the cops. “If a cop tells you to sit inside your home, please do not feel offended – Please listen to them,” Manpreet exhorted fellow citizens.

Similarly, the Minister, while addressing cleanliness workers, stated that they are battling it out so that the nation can stay safe, and to help us thwart the further spread of the corona outbreak. 

“You too have kids at home, but you’ve decided to work for the betterment of the nation. I salute you,” he added.

There are over a thousand cleanliness workers in Bathinda alone, but I am addressing only a few so as not to disrupt their work and maintain the principle of social distancing, he said adding that the State Government stands with all first responders, frontline workers, and unsung heroes of this war against COVID-19.