Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday dedicated the newly renovated Guru Tegh Bahadur Museum to the masses and exhorted the people to uphold and emulate the high ideals of secularism and humanitarianism embodied by the Ninth Sikh Guru.
The Chief Minister, while addressing the gathering after inspecting the ongoing work at Panj Pyara Park, said that the ninth guru of Sikhs, who founded the holy town of Sri Anandpur Sahib, was an epitome of socialism and secularism as he sacrificed his life for the sake of preserving human rights in the country.
Bhagwant Mann urged people to imbibe the spirit of self-sacrifice preached and practiced by ‘Hind Di Chaadar’, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, who laid down his life to safeguard the freedom of worship, besides upholding the human and secular values.
He said that the Bani of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, which is included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, preaches the message of oneness of mankind, universal brotherhood, righteousness, valour and compassion, which need to be followed by one and all.The Chief Minister said that Guru ji’s supreme sacrifice as protector of Dharma was unparalleled in the history of mankind and stands out as an example for humanity.
He said that this museum is a humble tribute to this great Sikh Guru who made unparalleled sacrifices to uphold the value of righteousness, truth and freedom of faith. Bhagwant Mann said that the supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji should always be remembered by one and all and Guru Ji’s teachings must be disseminated in every nook and corner of the world.
The Chief Minister said that the life and philosophy of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur is a lighthouse for the entire humanity adding that this museum will help in perpetuating this glorious legacy on one hand and further cementing the ties between people on the other.
Terming the foundation stone of Sri Anandpur Sahib as a revolutionary step in the annals of Indian history, he said that the foundation of socialism and secularism was laid on this sacred land by the great Sikh gurus. He said that the tenth master of Sikhs Sri Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa panth on this sacred land which further proved to be a milestone in forming a casteless and secular society in the country. The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that this museum has been rededicated to the people after equipping it with latest technology and Audio-Visual presentation of its content.
He said that earlier the museum showcased Guru Sahib’s life and teachings only through paintings displayed on its walls, devoid of any light effects and audio-visual presentation. However, Bhagwant Mann said that the upgradation and renovation work of the museum gathered pace during last year and had been completed now at a cost of nearly Rs. 2 Crore.
The Chief Minister said that the museum now portrays its content showcasing the teachings and the supreme sacrifice made by Guru Sahib for the protection of religion in chronological manner with the latest technology projection system using 2D motion and animation videos, synchronized lighting and running commentary.
He said that a mobile App has also been developed with which a visitor can watch and listen to the videos and commentary using his / her mobile phone. Bhagwant Mann said that this renovated hi-tech museum, which has been dedicated to the public on the occasion of Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, will apprize the visitors and pilgrims about the history replete with sacrifices and motivate the youth for preservation of invaluable heritage.
Slamming the Akali leadership for ignoring the development of the sacred cities, the Chief Minister said that though the SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal had always made tall claims but he had not done anything tangible for development of these cities. He said that due to the misdeed of the Akali leadership the people of the state had shown them the door by trouncing them badly.
Bhagwant Mann said that the Badals had given paramount importance to their own vested interests by ignoring the state and its people.The Chief Minister said that the traditional political parties are envious of him because they are not able to digest that the son of a common man is governing the state effectively.
He said that the people of the state have routed out the traditional political parties because of their anti-people and anti-Punjab stance. Bhagwant Mann said that these parties and their leaders have always promoted their own progeny but the people of the state have elected those from the common families to serve them.
The Chief Minister further said that the state government has dedicated more than 500 Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state to impart quality health services in the state. He said that these clinics are providing world class treatment and diagnostic facilities to the people free of cost.
Bhagwant Mann said that so far 21.21 lakh patients have been benefitted from these Aam Aadmi clinics adding that lakhs of patients have undergone free tests in merely few months.The Chief Minister asserted that in a major relief to the farmers of the state the state government has announced 25% upward revision in the compensation for the crop loss to the farmers.
He said that in case the loss is more than 75% then the state government will compensate the farmers with Rs 15,000 per acre. Bhagwant Mann said that the motive is to ensure the well being of the farmers at all costs adding that special Girdawari is going on in state and the compensation will be disbursed before Baisakhi.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has set up 117 Schools of Eminence across the 23 districts of the state to provide quality education to children. Bhagwant Mann said that these schools will focus on grooming students for five professional and competitive courses including engineering, law, commerce, UPSC and NDA.
He said that these schools will enable the youth to compete with their counterparts educated in other parts of the globe.The Chief Minister also announced that he will close another toll plaza at Samana on Wednesday to stop the plunder of common man. He said that these toll plazas have been illegally looting the people in connivance with the previous governments.
However, Bhagwant Mann said that when the common man has got the power this sheer loot of public money has been checked.The Chief Minister further said that the state government has inherited a debt of Rs 9020 crore of POWERCOM from previous governments. He said that this bad debt is being repaid through installments worth Rs 1804 crore.
Bhagwant Mann said that the state government has so far provided more than 28,000 jobs to the youth in the state.The Chief Minister also paid obeisance at Gurudwara Bhora Sahib and prayed for the peace, progress and prosperity of the state.