Punjab Deputy Chief Minister S. Sukhbir Singh Badal today disclosed that 300th martyrdom day functions of great sikh general and founder of khalsa raj, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur would be observed on grand scale. He also informed that these functions commencing 20th May at Gurdas Nangal (Gurdaspur) would continue till the period of one month. During the course of these functions, nagar kirtans dedicated to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, exhibition of ancient weaponry, poetic recitals, seminars would be held at various places besides a marathon at New Delhi.Badal further said that the Punjab Government would organize a grand function on 20th May. Divulging more, he said that a function on large scale would be organized in near future at Chapparchiri (Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar) also. Further, he informed that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has consented to attend the function in this regard to be held at New Delhi in the last week of June. The highlight of this function would be the presentation of a programme with the aid of ultra modern techniques and a kirtan darbar would be held in front of the qutab minar, where Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was martyred, on 24th June.
Presiding over a high level meeting regarding preparations for the 300th martyrdom day functions, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the Punjab Government would whole heartedly co-operate with and extend every possible help to the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC). He also said that no stone would be left unturned to make the functions, which would continue till 30th June, a success.The Deputy Chief Minister also called for the constitution of a committee of experts comprising administrative officers from Punjab, SGPC, DSGMC and sikh scholars so as to prepare a roadmap for these functions within one week.Badal also reviewed the preparations for the functions to be organized to commemorate the 350th Parkash Purab celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and 50th anniversary of Punjabi Suba. He exhorted the officers as well as SGPC and DSGMC leaders to start preparations in the right earnest for these functions which would continue till January 2017.
On the occasion, Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Punjab, S. Sikander Singh Maluka, Education Minister Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Additional Chief Secretary Mr. K.B.S. Sidhu, Media Advisor to the Chief Minister, Mr. Harcharan Bains, Media Advisor to the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Jangveer Singh, Principal Secretary to the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. P.S. Aujla, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Mr. Gagandeep Singh Brar, SGPC President Jathedar Avtar Singh Makkar, DSGMC President S. Manjit Singh G.K., Advisor to the Deputy Chief Minister and Secretary DSGMC, S. Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Chief Secretary SGPC, S. Harsharan Singh, Vice Chancellor Punjabi University Dr. Jaspal Singh, Senior SAD leader of Delhi S. Avtar Singh Hit and Sikh Historian S. Harinder Singh Khalsa were also present.