Chief Minister launches ‘Mission Chardikala’, appeals for fundraising at international level

Step taken by Punjab Government to collect funds for the rehabilitation of flood victims

Call to Punjabis settled across the world to contribute maximum to the fund – our own will rehabilitate our own

Chandigarh, Sept 2025 : Accelerating the efforts for the rehabilitation of Punjab’s flood victims, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today launched ‘Mission Chardikala’. Under this mission, an international-level campaign will be run by the Punjab Government to collect funds for the efforts being made to bring flood-affected people of the state back on their feet.

In a video message, the Chief Minister said that in the past time the state has gone through such a difficult period that our generations will never be able to forget. He said that the floods did not only wreak havoc with water but also washed away millions of dreams. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 2,300 villages drowned, 20 lakh (2 million) people were affected, five lakh acres of crops were destroyed, 56 precious lives were lost, and 7 lakh people became homeless.

During this, the Chief Minister said that 3,200 schools were destroyed, 19 colleges turned into debris, 1,400 clinics and hospitals became ruins, 8,500 kilometers of roads reached a worse state and 2,500 bridges collapsed. He said that according to the initial estimate, a loss of ₹13,800 crore has occurred while the damage could be much more. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that although this is the most dreadful tragedy in Punjab’s history, along with this it is also the biggest test for Punjab. He said history is witness that whenever Punjab has faced a crisis, Punjabis have never bowed down before it but have always stood strong like a rock.

The Chief Minister said that even during the floods, youth were risking their lives to save people. He told how gurdwaras, temples and other religious places were opening their doors for help and running langars, how the whole of Punjab stood united like beads of a rosary as a family. He said this is our biggest strength and specialty.

The Chief Minister said that now the time has come to move ahead from relief and rehabilitation, because our farmer has to farm again, children have to go to school again and flood-affected families have to settle their homes again. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that keeping these challenging circumstances in mind, ‘Mission Chardikala’ has been started. The meaning of Chardikala – to keep morale high even in the most difficult times, to remain strong in every sorrow, and to keep the light of hope burning even in every darkness.

The Chief Minister said that he makes a heartfelt appeal to every Punjabi, every citizen of India, our industrialists, artists, charitable trusts, and our Punjabi brothers and sisters living across the world that today Punjab needs you. He said let us unite, hold Punjab’s hand in this difficult hour and help with an open heart. Bhagwant Singh Mann promised that every single penny that comes for helping flood victims will be spent only on rehabilitation and reconstruction works with complete honesty and transparency.

The Chief Minister appealed to people that contribution can be given for flood victims through www.rangla.punjab.gov.in. He expressed hope that together we will again prove that Punjab never gives up. Punjab always stays in Chardikala. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a war room has also been set up in his office, which will directly monitor all activities related to ‘Mission Chardikala’. He said he himself will personally monitor these efforts daily.

On this occasion, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, and other officials were also present.