Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced to develop Khuralgarh, the sacred place associated with Sri Guru Ravidass ji, as a world class pilgrimage center to propagate the message of divinity, communal harmony, peace, universal brotherhood and compassion as preached by Guru Ji through his all pervasive philosophy, life and works.Addressing a mammoth gathering after laying the foundation stone of Sri Guru Ravidass memorial here in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal and several saints and religious preachers, the Chief Minister reiterated that the state government has undertaken several projects of immense ethnic significance like Virasat-e-khalsa, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath besides the upcoming Jang-e-Azadi memorial and War Heroes memorial to showcase the enormous contribution of Punjabis in the national freedom struggle and role of our brave soldiers in the defence of our country. He said that it was the paramount duty of the government to preserve the cultural heritage of the state to keep our youngsters abreast with our glorious past.
Mr. Badal said that those nations which tend to forget their cultural legacy were bound to be doomed.The Chief Minister said that this world class memorial would be a befitting tribute to Sri Guru Ravidass ji, which would act as a lighthouse to perpetuate the life and teachings of this great Guru. He said that Sri Guru Ravidass Ji was a great exponent of Bhakti movement and messiah of the poor and downtrodden, who taught us to lead a virtuous and noble life adding that his life and philosophy still continues to guide humanity towards an egalitarian society.The Chief Minister said that this memorial would be an architectural marvel, which once completed would have a spacious congregation hall having a capacity to accommodate ten thousand pilgrims and a state-of-the art auditorium equipped with all the modern audio-visual aids to showcase the life and works of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji. He said that the auditorium would accommodate nearly 500 pilgrims during any function or event. Mr. Badal further said that the hallmark of this world class memorial would be a tall erected structure ‘Minar-e-Begampura’ which would be of 151 feet high.
Reaffirming his commitment for the overall development and welfare of weaker and underprivileged sections of the society, the Chief Minister said that the SAD-BJP alliance government was the only votary to safeguard their rights. He said that the Atta Dal, Shagun, pension and post matric scholarship scheme, meritorious schools were amongst the several pro-poor initiatives to ensure quality of life to these oppressed sections of the society. On the contrary, Mr. Badal said that other political parties especially the Congress exploited this section as their vote bank but never bothered to do anything tangible for their growth and prosperity.The Chief Minister said that the upcoming Sri Guru Ravidass memorial was a humble tribute by the state government to spread Guru ji’s philosophy, who envisioned a concept of ‘Begampura (a city free from the pangs of agony)’. Announcing a development grant of Rs 2 crore to spruce up village Khuralgarh and Bassi with ultra modern amenities like drinking water, street lights, roads and sewerage was a step in a direction to create an aura of peaceful living so as to enable the residents to realize the goal of salvation. Mr. Badal mentioned that Guru Ravidass ji spent four years and over two months at this sacred place in the pursuit of spiritualism. He said that the basic idea to develop this place as a world class centre of faith so that the teachings and philosophy of Guru ji could be disseminated. Mr. Badal hoped that millions of devotees from across the globe would converge here to pay their obeisance to great religious ambassador, who called upon the entire mankind to follow the path of divinity thereby abrogating the shams of casteism and other social evils. He called upon the people to take a solemn pledge on this historic occasion to shun these social evils, which would be a real tribute to Guru ji’s philosophy based on socialism and humanism.
Earlier in his address, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today hailed Chief Minister for strengthening communal harmony and brotherhood in the state besides preserving and promoting majestic and secular cultural ties of Punjabis. He also said that the communities which forget their roots are forgotten by the history. The Deputy Chief Minister said Chief Minister had maintained peace and law & order in the state and celebrated all occasions and festivals of all communities and religions. He also said CM Badal had always favoured all sections of the society including farmers, traders and needy people as no state has ever launched such welfare and pro poor schemes.Deputy CM disclosed that Sri Guru Ravidass memorial would be constructed at a cost of Rs 110 crore and after it comes to fruition, people from India and abroad will throng for pilgrimage as it would give the message of universal peace and brotherhood. He said the state government had constructed several monuments for all religions in the state to preserve, promote the rich religio-cultural heritage of Punjab to guide the coming generations. He also divulged that Punjab government has started "Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra" scheme for all religions and communities and facilitated poor and old people for pilgrimage free of cost to their sacred places.
Coming on to development initiatives of Punjab government, Mr. Badal divulged that state government is providing 200 units free power to the BPL families, cashless treatment and insurance scheme for poor people, farmers and traders which includes treatment to the tune of Rs. 50000 and insurance cover of Rs one lakh.Divulging more, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said in a first of its own kind initiatives, Punjab is the only state in India providing free power to farmers and not only this, Punjab has the distinction of achieved the status of a power surplus state.Laying great stress on the skill development, Mr. Badal said Punjab government would setup 200 skill centers after 4 villages and give training to one lakh youth to hone their skills as per demands and latest trends in the industrial sector so that they could earn their livelihood. He further elaborated that the Punjab government would provide around 1.20 lakh jobs in next 6 months.
In his address Union State Minister Mr. Vijay Sampla said that the entire SC community would ever remain indebted to the state government for taking this historic initiative to perpetuate the life and philosophy of Sri Guru Ravidass ji. He said that both NDA Government at the centre and the SAD-BJP alliance government in the state were making all out efforts to ensure that the interests of community were protected. Mr. Sampla said that entire SC community was thankful to Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister for taking this unique initiative adding that the community would payback by supporting the alliance in coming polls.Addressing the gathering state BJP chief Mr. Kamal Sharma while paying homage to Sri Guru Ravidass ji said that Guru Ji envisioned a secular and Socialistic society. He said that both the NDA Government at centre and the alliance government in the state have taken path breaking initiatives to ensure the welfare of weaker sections of society. Mr. Sharma said that with the coming up of several memorials across the state the Chief Minister has perpetuated the rich cultural heritage of the state.Earlier, the Chief Minister accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister paid obeisance here at Gurdwara Sri Guru Ravidass ji.
Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Dr. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Cabinet Ministers Mr Sohan Singh Thandal and Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Member Parliament Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Mr. Pawan Kumar Teenu, Mr. Avinash Chander, Chaudhary Nand Lal, Sant Balbir Singh Ghunas, Bibi Mohinder Kaur Josh and Mr. Som Parkash, Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Tikshan Sud, state BJP chief Mr Kamal Sharma, Chairman SC Commission Punjab Mr. Rajesh Bagha, MLAs Mr. Harpreet Singh, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Bibi Sukhjeet Kaur Shahi and Mr. Surinder Singh Bhullewal Rathan, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Tourism Mrs. Anjali Bhawra, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr KJS Cheema, Chairman Dalit Bhalai Board Mr. Vijay Danav, Chairman Punjab State Safai Karamchari Commission Mr. Rajkumar Atikaye, Chairman Punjab Gau Sewa Commission Mr. Keemti Lal Bhagat, Deputy Commissioner Mrs Anandita Mitra, Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. KS Chahal and President of Youth Akali Dal Doaba zone Mr. Sarabjot Singh Saabi.