As a part of ongoing year long celebrations of 350th Parkash Utsav of tenth master of Sikhs Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji, the Punjab Government today decided to ply special buses from different parts of the state to ferry devotees to Takht Sri Patna Sahib (Bihar), the birth place of Guru Sahib ji. These buses would run from December 01 till the culmination of mega event at Sri Patna Sahib i.e. January 7, 2017. A decision to this effect was taken during a high level meeting presided over by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and attended by Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal here at latter’s official residence this evening.Taking part in the deliberations, the Deputy Chief Minister asked the Chief Secretary to work out the modalities for plying buses from different destinations across the state to facilitate the devotees to have hassle free pilgrimage to Takht Sri Patna Sahib. These buses would halt at different Gurdwaras enroute for accommodation and free community kitchen (langar) at night as per the schedule being chalked out by the SGPC authorities. He also said that these special buses would run in addition to the charted trains already allotted by the Railways from different places across the state to Sri Patna Sahib for the convenience of people, who ardently wished to be a part of this life time rare experience.
The Chief Minister also gave approval to organize a grand show at Virasat-e-Khalsa, Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 27 which would be followed by the magnificent laser show at night focused on the life and philosophy of Guru Gobind Singh ji. Mr. Badal also constituted a committee comprising Member Parliament Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Cabinet Ministers Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema and Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal to oversee the arrangements for commemoration of this mega event at Sri Anandpur Sahib. Apart from this, another panel consisting of Ex-MP Mr. Tarlochan Singh, VC Punjabi University Patiala Dr. Jaspal Singh, SGPC President Jathedar Avtar Singh and DSGMC Jathedar Manjit Singh GK would finalize the content of the script for the laser show and also suggest the names of eminent dignitaries of National as well as International fame to extend invite for these functions. All the religious heads of different faiths and religions would be invited on these functions to disseminate the message of universal brotherhood, peace and harmony. Mr. Badal also directed the Chief Secretary to be an overall in-charge for the commemoration of these celebrations.Likewise, another mega event associated with these celebrations would be held at Delhi on the December 11 by the state government in coordination with DSGMC. It was also decided to hold a mega Kirtan Darbar for the first time at India Gate, New Delhi on November 25. Another Kirtan Darbar would be organized at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 26.The Chief Minister also decided to extend special invitation to the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi to be the Chief Guest on both these functions at Sri Anandpur Sahib and New Delhi.It was also decided in the meeting that the bus carrying the relics of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji would be flagged of from Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib during mid of December and reach Takht Sri Patna Sahib on January 1, 2017 via Guru Gobind Singh Marg and would also halt at Delhi for a week to enable the Sangat of national capital to have glimpse of Guru ji’s relics.
To elicit maximum participation of the youth in these celebrations, it was decided to organize motorcycle yatra comprising at least 11 youth from each village of the state to Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 26. This religious voyage would inculcate a marshal spirit coupled with courage and enthusiasm.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Cabinet Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema and Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, Member Rajya Sabha Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Member Lok Sabha Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Ex Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Chief Secretary Mr. Sarvesh Kaushal, Secretary Cultural Affairs Mr. Hussan Lal, President DSGMC Jathedar Manjit Singh GK, Chief Secretary SGPC Mr. Harcharan Singh, Secretary SGPC Mr. Avtar Singh, VC Punjabi University Patiala Dr. Jaspal Singh, eminent Sikh Scholar Dr. Indu Banga, Advisor to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Media Advisor to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Jangveer Singh, Special Principal Secretary to CM Mr. KJS Cheema, Special Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Secretary Information & Public Relations Mr. Rahul Tiwari and OSD to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Brar.