Paying glowing tributes to the legendary Sikh Warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur on his 300th martyrdom anniversary, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that the historic Baba Banda Singh War Memorial at Chappar Chirri amongst other such memorials across the state would ever act as ‘lighthouses’ for the younger generations to apprise them with our glorious cultural heritage.While addressing a public gathering here after, Mr. Badal said that Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was the first Sikh warrior, having distinction of establishing Sikh Raj in India defeating Mughal Governor Wazir Khan, to avenge the killing Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s four Sahibzadas, Mata ji and massacre of thousands of Sikhs and Hindus. It may be recalled that Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was the first one to establish ‘Khalsa Raj’ in 1710.
Mr. Badal bemoaned that Sikhs were known all over the world for creating history but it was equally unfortunate that they were unable to preserve the same. He however said the state government during last nine years for the first time initiated unprecedented steps to perpetuate the rich cultural heritage of the state by constructing world class memorials by spending more than Rs 1000 crore. Mr. Badal further said that the Sikh history was replete with numerous selfless sacrifices and we have inherited this legacy from our great Gurus and Martyrs. The Chief Minister said that memorials like Virasat-e-Khalsa, War Memorial and Chapparchiri, Memorials of Small and Big Holocaust and others were being lauded by one and all adding that this year War Heroes Memorial cum Museum, Jang-e-Azadi Memorial and Bhagwan Valmiki Temple cum Panorama Centre would be dedicated to the nation. Likewise, he said that the construction work of Sri Guru Ravidass ji Memorial at Khuralgarh in Hoshiarpur district and the memorial of Baba Jivan Singh fondly known as Bhai Jaita was going on full swing.
On the occasion, a lazer show was organized by country’s renowned event management company Wizcraft to depict the life and philosophy of iconic Sikh warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur in order to apprise people especially the younger generations about his stellar contribution in the abolition of Jagirdari system from the control of Mughals, who made the tillers and cultivators, the actual owners of the land and issued coins and seals in the name of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji and Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji.Prominent amongst those who were present in the meeting included Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Education Minister Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Lok Sabha Member Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Rajya Sabha Member Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Chairman Punjab Agro Jathedar Dyal Singh Kolianwali, Financial Commissioner Revenue Mr. KBS Sidhu, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mrs. Anjali Bhawra, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema besides Deputy Commissioner Mohali Mr. DS Mangat and SSP Mr. GIS Bhullar.