Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that keeping in view the larger public interest the state government would examine the feasibility of banning Chinese string (kite dor) in the state.Interacting with the media persons here on the sidelines of a cultural event organized by Chief Khalsa Diwan here today, the Chief Minister said that in wake of number of mishaps due to this string the state government would explore the possibility of prohibiting it in the state. He said that the state government was sensitive to this issue of utmost public importance and soon a suitable action would be taken in this regard.Replying to another query, the Chief Minister categorically said that the state government hardly interferes in the working of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee as it had a separate entity as it was an autonomous body free to take decisions regarding Sikh religious affairs. He said that the canards regarding his interference in the affairs of SGPC were totally baseless, irrelevant and misleading.
On another query, the Chief Minister said that that Sangat Darshan was a flagship program of the SAD-BJP alliance, which was very helpful in ensuring on the spot redressal of the grievances of the people. He said that these programs were also helpful to the state government for judging the performance of the officers/ officials of the state government. Mr. Badal said that the sole aim of organizing these programs was to give impetus to the development in the state.
Later on addressing the gathering at the event, the Chief Minister underscored the need for imparting quality education to the weaker sections of the society. He urged Chief Khalsa Diwan to make concerted efforts to spread the light of knowledge amongst the poor students so that they could compete with the students from across the globe.
Mr. Badal also laid thrust on providing education to the students of border areas so that they could be benefitted from it. “The state government is already making stupendous efforts in this regard but fulsome support of organizations like Chief Khalsa Diwan can do wonders in it” he added. The Chief Minister said that to ensure the best education facilities to the economically weak students the state government has established Meritorious Schools at Mohali, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Patiala to provide quality education to bright students scoring 80% or more marks in Government Schools. He further said that the state government has made concerted efforts to preserve its rich cultural legacy by building world class monuments including state-of-the-art Virasat-e-Khalsa memorial at Sri Anandpur Sahib, memorials of Vadda and Chhota Ghallugharas in Kup Rahira and Kahnuwan respectively besides Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War memorial at Chappar Chiri and Maharaja Dalip Singh Memorial at Bassian Kothi, Raikot in Ludhiana at a cost of nearly Rs 1000 crore to immortalize the memory of the great and unparalleled role played by our great heroes and martyrs in shaping the course of human history.
Likewise, memorials of Bhagwan Valmiki ( Bhagwan Valmik Tirath Sthal Amritsar ),Guru Ravidass (at Khuralgarh in Hoshiarpur),Swami Vivekananda Memorial at Kapurthala, Baba Jiwan Singh (Bhai Jaita Ji) Memorial at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Baba Moti Ram Mehra Memorial at Fatehgarh Sahib and Bhai Mati Dass, Bhai Sati Dass and Bhai Dayala Ji Memorial at Sri Anandpur Sahib besides state-of-the-art War Heroes' Memorial-cum-Museum at Amritsar and Jang-e-Azaadi memorial at Kartarpur were under various stages of execution.Lauding the stupendous efforts being made by the Chief Khalsa Diwan in educational, religious, social and cultural field, the Chief Minister said that this organization was serving the humanity with utmost zeal and commitment. He also urged the management of Chief Khalsa Diwan to take necessary steps for providing free and quality education to the poor and bright students of the state. Mr. Badal also impressed upon the management of Chief Khalsa Diwan to open schools in rural areas of the state.On the occasion the President of Chief Khalsa Diwan Mr. Charanjit Singh Chadha welcomed the Chief Minister.Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated Kalgidhar auditorium and seminar hall and conference hall at Sri Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary Public School.The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ravi Bhagat and Commissioner of Police Mr. Jatinder Singh Aulakh.