Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that the state of art historical monument cum Temple with inbuilt Museum and Panorama at Sri Valmeki Ashram (Ram Tirath) near Amritsar would be a humble tribute by the state government to Lord Valmeki, who had preached the message of equality and universal brotherhood on this sacred land.
Addressing a mammoth gathering during the Shobha Yatra organized here on the eve of Bhagwan Valmeki Jyanti here today, the Chief Minister said that, coming up at a cost of Rs 115 crore, this temple cum museum would perpetuate the rich legacy of Lord Valmeki besides showcasing the teachings, life and philosophy of this great Guru. Mr. Badal said that the design of this temple cum museum has been conceived by the word class architects while keeping in mind the religious sanctity of this historic place. He said that on its part the state government was making every effort to develop this historic place as a major tourist destination of the world.
The Chief Minister said that Bhagwan Valmeki Ji Maharaj was the “Pitaamah” of Sanskrit language and first poet or the Adi Kavi of the world who by his immortal and masterpiece composition the “Ramayana” propagated the message of victory of good over evil. He also said that great epic has from centuries taught the way of life to the people and has been a lighthouse of the ethical and moral living for the people which were far more relevant in the present materialistic society. He said that teachings of Bhagwan Valmeki Ji Maharaj lays stress on the equality in the society along with the ethics of what an ideal man, ideal ruler and ideal people should follow for the formation of an ideal state or society. He urged the people to follow the path and high ideals shown by Maharishi Valmeki Ji so as to carve out an egalitarian society. The Chief Minister further said that it was a matter of great pride and honor for the state government to offer humble tributes to Bhagwan Valmeki Maharaj Ji by developing this site, where the this great religious guru had propagated the concept of egalitarian society by composing the legendary epic.
Badal categorically said that this Temple would be unique in the sense that it would not only help in disseminating the philosophy of Bhagwan Valmeki Maharaj Ji for carving out a harmonious society in the state but would also act as a lighthouse to guide the destiny of our youth through the great ethical and moral values preached by him besides cementing the bonds of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood. He said that the museum and the panorama to be constructed at Sri Valmeki Ashram would showcase the teachings of Bhagwan Valmeki Ji, which propagated the ethos of equality and spirituality globally.The Chief Minister said that in line with the teachings of Bhagwan Valmeki Ji, the state government was laying special thrust on providing education to the poor and meritorious students of weaker sections for which Dr Hargobind Khurana scholarship scheme has been initiated to provide a scholarship of Rs 30000 per annum to them. Likewise he said special schools would be opened in six districts of the state in which free education would be imparted to poor students securing 80% or more marks.
On the occasion the leaders from Valmeki Community including Mr. Vijay Danav, Mr. Lachman Dravid, Mr. Naresh Dhingaan, Choudhary Yashpal and others hailed the Chief Minister for taking the historic decision of constructing this temple thereby conceding the long pending demand of Valmeki community. The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Advisor Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Vice Chairman Punjab Planning Board Prof. Rajinder Bhandari, MLAs Mr. Manpreet Singh Iyaali and Mr. Ranjeet Singh Dhillon, State BJP President Mr. Kamal Sharma, Chairman District Planning Committee Jathedar Hira Singh Gabria, Mayor Mr. Harcharan Singh Golwaria and District BJP President Mr. Praveen Bansal.
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