In a significant decision, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today constituted a concept committee to chalk out a time-bound strategy for erecting a world class memorial at village Khuralgarh in Hoshiarpur district, dedicated to the life, work and philosophy of great Sri Guru Ravidass Ji, who propagated the values of humanism through his global teachings, which were still relevant in the present materialistic society.A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister at a meeting attended by the great saints associated with Sri Guru Ravidass Sadhu Sampraday Society including Sant Nirmal Dass Jaura, Sant Surinder Dass Kathar and Sant Nirmal Singh Avadaan besides eminent scholars and academicians with their life long research experience on the life and philosophy of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji. Badal said that this prestigious memorial would be created at the holy place of Khuralgarh in tehsil Garhshankar associated with Sri Guru Ravidass Ji over the land already identified by the district administration and directed the Deputy Commissioner Hoshiarpur to work out modalities to arrange additional land for the construction of this historic monument. He reiterated the state government would undertake this sacred task under the auspices of reverend saints associated with the philosophy of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji. The Chief Minister emphasized the need to carry out detailed research work by the concept committee prior to the finalization of the design and pattern of the monument in consonance with Guru Ji’s eternal message of socialism, brotherhood, harmony, peace and amity. He also asked the concept committee to visit the holy places connected with Sri Guru Ravidass Ji like Varanasi etc to collect more information about the life and works of Guru Ji.
The concept committee comprised the members: including Sant Nirmal Dass Jaura, Sant Surinder Dass Kathar, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Sohan Singh Thandal and Som Parkash besides Dr Dharmpal Singal and Dr Jasbir Singh Sabar both former Chairmen of the Sri Guru Ravidass Chair of Punjab University Chandigarh and Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar. Sarwan Singh Phillaur would be the convener of the committee and its first meeting would be convened at Dera Baba Jaura at Raipur Rasoolpur in Jalandhar district on September 28.Meanwhile the state government has also established the 16-member “Guru Ravidass Memorial Foundation” under the Chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs SS Channy had been authorized to complete all the legal formalities for creation/declaration of the said committee. The other members of the foundation included Cultural affairs Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Local Government Minister Chunni Lal Bhagat, Health and Family care Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, former Local Government Minister Tikshan Sood, Sohan Singh Thandal, Pawan Kumar Teenu, Mohinder Kaur Josh, Som Parkash, Sant Balbir Singh Ghunas (all Chief Parliamentary Secretaries), MLA SR Kaler, Darshan Singh Jethumajra, Chief Secretary Punjab, Secretary Cultural Affairs, Principal Secretary Finance and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister.Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Cultural Affairs Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Sohan Singh Thandal, Pawan Kumar Teenu, Mohinder Kaur Josh, Som Parkash, (all Chief Parliamentary Secretaries), MLAs SR Kaler and Surinder Singh Bhullewalrathan, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Gaggandip Singh Brar, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs SS Channy and Darshan Lal Jethumajra.