A district-level Independence Day celebration was held at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana on Saturday.Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema attended the event as the chief guest and hoisted the national flag.Students from various educational institutions took part in cultural and patriotic performances at the event. Police and NCC contingents participated in the march past.Cheema honored individuals who have made significant contributions in the social sector. Tricycles were distributed to the disabled persons. Minister while addressing the gathering recalled the sacrifices of martyrs and freedom fighters who laid their lives for the nation.The minister also counted the achievements of the state government and schemes launched for the welfare of residents. He applauded the state government decision in capping the annual fee hike for private unaided schools at maximum of 5 per cent.Cheema also participated as the Chief Guest in the state-level programme organised by the Punjab Government at Village Isru (Khanna) on the martyrdom day of Shaheed Master Karnail Singh Isru.Police Commissioner Ludhiana Swapan Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana Himanshu Jain along with other police and administration officials were present.Ludhiana police had made adequate security arrangements in the town to ensure peaceful celebrations of Independence Day.