In recognition to the supreme sacrifice made by Baba Jeevan Singh (Bhai Jaita Ji) for the Sikh panth, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that he would soon take up the matter of constructing a suitable monument of this valiant Sikh warrior at Chandni Chowk (Delhi) with the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC). Addressing a mammoth gathering during the state level function to mark the martyrdom of Baba Jeevan Singh here today, the Chief Minister said that all out efforts would be made to construct a befitting memorial of this legendary Sikh martyr at Chandni chowk, from where he had brought the seesh of Guru Teg Bahandur to Sri Anandpur Sahib. He said that though the matter was not under the jurisdiction of the state government but they would make concerted efforts to construct this memorial, which would help in perpetuating the glorious legacy of Baba Jeevan Singh. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that the work on the construction of a prestigious memorial at Sri Anandpur Sahib would also be initiated very soon. “The groundwork of this memorial has been completed and the work on it would be started at the earliest to showcase the immense contribution of Baba Jeevan Singh towards the Sikh panth.
In a major reprieve to the people residing within the Red Line (Lal Lakeer/ Dori) in the state, the Chief Minister also announced that he had already ordered the officers of the state government to start the numbering of these properties. He said that the people living within the Lal Lakeer had to face a lot of problems because they do not have any proof regarding the ownership of this land. So keeping in view the larger public interest involved in the matter we have decided to pave a way towards their ownerships, added Mr. Badal.Listing the pro-poor initiatives taken by the state government for the welfare of weaker sections of society, the Chief Minister said that various schemes like Atta-Dal, Shagun and Old age pensions have been started by the state government for extending a helping hand to these underprivileged sections of the society. He said that in a path breaking initiative the state government has increased the ambit of Atta-Dal scheme from 15 lakh beneficiary families to 30 lakh. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that several steps were also taken for ensuring the all-round development and prosperity of these strata of society.
Paying floral tributes to Baba Jeevan Singh, the Chief Minister said that he rendered marvelous service to the panth by bringing back the seesh of Guru Teg Bahadur, who was martyred at Chandni chowk for raising voice against injustice, tyranny and oppression. He said that Baba Jeevan Singh confronted unimaginable hardships during his journey from Delhi to Sri Anandpur sahib but he faced them bravely. “The exemplary courage exhibited by this legendary Sikh warrior hardly finds any parallel in the entire Sikh history” added Mr. Badal.
The Chief Minister said that during his lifetime Baba Jeevan Singh served two Sikh Gurus Sri Guru Teg Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh, with utmost zeal, sincerity and commitment. He said that besides fighting valiantly in Battles from that of Bhagani to Chamkaur Sahib, Baba Jeevan Singh also gave training of warfare to elder (vadde) Sahibzaadas.
The Chief Minister further said that the SAD-BJP alliance government was committed for perpetuating the glorious history of the state for which stupendous efforts were being made by them. He said that the state government has constructed world class monuments like Viraasat-e-Khalsa Memorial at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Chapparchiri War Memorial at Mohali, Memorials of big and small holocaust at Sangrur and Gurdaspur besides the upcoming ‘Jang-e-Azaadi’ memorial at Kartarpur. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that special focus was being laid on the development of the religious towns of state.
In his address, Revenue and Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia hailed the Chief Minister for organizing a state level function to mark this historic day. He said that if such events of immense historical significance were observed by the state governments, then India would soon emerge as a strong and progressive nation thereby displaying the ethos of peace, communal harmony, religious tolerance and national integration. He said that it was a matter of great pride for all of us that legendary martyrs like Baba Jeevan Singh have made unparalleled sacrifices in the Sikh history.
Majithia said that even ninth Guru of Sikhs, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur sacrificed his life for preventing ‘forcible religious conversions’.Lauding the several pro-poor initiatives taken by the Chief Minister to give reprieve to the weaker sections of society, Mr. Majithia said that these schemes were playing a pivotal role in overall development of this strata of society. He said that keeping in view that more than 32% population of the state consists of Schedule Caste populace, the union government must give a special package to the border state for ensuring their well being. Mr. Majithia said that both the centre and state government must take joint steps for the welfare of this section of society.
In his address Speaker of Punjab assembly Dr. Charanjeet Singh Atwal said that from Mr. Bhim Sen Sachar to currently Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, he had seen the working all the Chief Ministers of the state. However, he said that none of them except Mr. Badal had ever thought about the welfare of the schedule caste population of the state.On the occasion Cabinet Minister Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike proposed a vote of thanks to all the dignitaries.Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Cabinet Ministers Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra and Mr. Sharanjeet Singh Dhillon, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Virsa Singh Valtoha, Mr. Des Raj Dhugga, Mr. Amarbeer Singh Bonny, Mr. Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Mr. Harmeet Singh Sandhu and Chaudhary Nand Lal, MLAs Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Mr. Manjeet Singh Mianwind, Mr. Baljeet Singh Jalaal Usma and Justice Nirmal Singh, former Ministers Jathedar Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Captain Balbir Singh Baath and Mr. Gobind Singh Kanjla, former MLAs Mr. Sarabjeet Singh Makkar, Mr. Parkash Singh Bhatti, Mr. Gurjant Singh Mr. Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal and Mr. Malkiat Singh AR, senior Akali leaders Mr. Darbara Singh Guru, Mr. Rajmohinder Singh Majitha and Mr. Veer Singh Lopoke, Chairman district Planning Committee Tarn Taran Mr. Ravinder Singh Brahmpura and others. The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema.