Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday unveiled Mission Chardi Kala, a worldwide fundraising initiative aimed at supporting the rehabilitation of families and communities devastated by the recent floods in Punjab.
In a heartfelt video message, Mann reflected on the magnitude of the disaster, saying that the state had experienced scenes future generations would remember as countless dreams were washed away.
“As many as 2,300 villages are submerged, more than 2 million people affected, five lakh acres of crops destroyed, 56 precious lives were lost, and seven lakh people have become homeless,” Mann said. He went on to highlight the large-scale destruction of infrastructure: “3,200 government schools have been damaged, 19 colleges have been turned into rubble, 1,400 clinics and hospitals have been ruined, 8,500 km of roads have been destroyed, and 2,500 bridges have collapsed.”
Sharing the state’s preliminary estimates, Mann added, “According to initial estimates, the loss is around ₹13,800 crore, and the actual damage may be even greater.” He stressed that while immediate relief was critical, the focus now must shift toward rehabilitation, so that “farmers can sow their fields again, children can return to schools, and families can begin rebuilding their homes.”
Explaining the spirit behind the initiative, the CM said, “This is the reason why the state government has launched Mission Chardi Kala, which means strength even in sorrow, hope even in darkness.” He appealed to the public to contribute generously by visiting www.rangla.punjab.gov.in.
Mann extended his call for support not only to Punjabis but also to every citizen of India, to industrialists, philanthropists, artists, charitable trusts, and members of the Punjabi diaspora across the globe. He pledged that “every single rupee of their contribution will be used with full honesty and transparency, solely for rehabilitation and rebuilding.”
Reviews flood response efforts
The CM also held a virtual meeting with all district deputy commissioners to review the flood situation and directed them to make daily visits to relief camps and affected regions to ensure that no citizen faced unnecessary hardship. He reiterated that all funds raised under Mission Chardi Kala would go directly toward the rehabilitation of the affected people.
Support from Vikramjit Singh Sahney
Backing the initiative, Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney announced a contribution of ₹1 crore towards Mission Chardi Kala. According to an official press note, he has also pledged 50 tractors and 10 JCB machines to assist in desilting operations in the worst-hit flood areas of Punjab over the next three months.
