The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today convened a high level meeting of the senior leaders of the SAD-BJP, Cabinet Ministers and MLAs besides the senior officers of the state government to finalize the arrangements of dedicating state-of-the-art temple cum panorama complex with full religious sanctity during a state level function to be held at Sri Valmiki Tirath Sthal (Ram Tirath), Amritsar on December 1.
The Chief Minister exhorted the leaders of SAD-BJP and the top brass of the government to elicit huge participation of the people from different walks of life on this historic event. The Chief Minister deputed his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema to overall supervise the arrangements and logistics of this mega function. Mr. Badal called upon the people to commemorate this mega event collectively with great enthusiasm thereby rising above the parochial considerations of caste, color, creed and religion in order to demonstrate the ethos of secularism and religious tolerance. Mr. Badal asked the members of Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal Board to ensure the participation of the heads of all religious sects besides the eminent spiritual leaders of the country.
The Chief Minister appealed to the people to participate in this function with great fervor and gaiety especially on the installation of the idol of Bhagwan Valmiki ji- the creator of legendary epic Ramayana and the great scholar of Sanskrit. Mr. Badal said that special arrangements must be put in place for comfortable journey of people reaching at the venue of the function and also directed the police administration to ensure smooth and hassle-free movement of vehicular traffic in order to avert any sort of traffic jams. He also instructed the district administration Amritsar to make elaborate arrangement for the parking lot to accommodate maximum number of vehicles especially buses carrying pilgrims to the place of function.
The Chief Minister solicited the support of all sections of society to attend this historic event in large numbers as magnificent idol of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji would be installed at Sri Valmiki Tirath Sthal with full religious fervor, rituals and reverence. Mr. Badal appealed the people belonging to all faiths, communities and religions to offer their prayers on this auspicious occasion, rising above the parochial considerations of caste, color and creed.
The Chief Minister said that the state of art historical monument cum Temple with inbuilt Museum and Panorama at Sri Valmiki Ashram (Ram Tirath) near Amritsar would be a humble tribute by the state government to Bhagwan Valmiki ji, who had preached the message of equality and universal brotherhood on this sacred land. He said that this unique project, which has come up at a cost of Rs 200 crore, would be instrumental in perpetuating the rich legacy of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji besides showcasing the teachings, life and philosophy of this great Guru. He said that the world class design of this temple cum museum has been conceived and prepared by the architects of Guru Nanak Dev University while keeping in mind the religious sanctity of this historic place.
Recalling the superb contribution of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji in the cultural assimilation of society, the Chief Minister said that Bhagwan Valmiki 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 urged the people to follow the path and high ideals shown by Bhagwan Valmiki Ji so as to carve out an egalitarian society.
Prominent among others who attended the meeting Cabinet Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike and Jathedar Ajit Singh Kohar, Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mr. Charanjit Singh Atwal, MLAs Bibi Jagir Kaur, Mr. Darshan Singh Shiwalik, Mr. Manjeet Singh Mianwind, Mr. Gurbachan Singh Babbehali, Mr. Des Raj Dhugga, Akali leader Mr. Sarabjeet Singh Makkar, Mr. Baldev Singh Khaira and Mr. Paramjeet Singh Pamma, former Ministers Jathedar Sewa Singh Sekhwan and Jathedar Sucha Singh Langah, Chairman Dalit Welfare Board Mr. Vijay Danav and Mr. Lakshman Dravid.
On the occasion Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema, Secretary Tourism Mr. Hussan Lal and Director Cultural Affairs Mr. NPS Randhawa were also present.