Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the people to play a proactive role in weeding out the social maladies like female foeticide, dowry, drug addiction and others from the society.Addressing a mammoth religious congregation at a function to mark the 38th death anniversary of Sant Baba Isher Singh Ji Rare Wale here today, the Chief Minister, while expressing deep concern over the deteriorating moral values in the society, said that need of the hour was that the people must take inspiration from the religious and social leaders to uproot these evils, which have plagued our society, in an effective manner. He said that the religious leaders were like a lighthouse, which could efficaciously redeem the society from the pangs of agonies in this materialistic world. Mr. Badal said that the spiritual leaders across the state could also play a leading role in curbing the menace of drugs besides other social maladies in the state by making the people aware about them.
The Chief Minister said that the awakening created by the religious and spiritual leaders besides the social workers could play a pivotal role in strengthening the moral values in the society thereby leading to the formation of an ideal state. Mr Badal also impressed upon the people to follow footsteps of our great Gurus who preached us to serve the mankind with utmost dedication and devotion.Paying rich tributes to Sant Baba Isher Singh Ji, the Chief Minister recalled the valuable contribution of Baba Ji in the social and religious fields. He said that Sant Baba Isher Singh Ji also played a key role in spreading the education in the backward regions of the state by opening a number of school and colleges. Mr. Badal further said that Baba Ji had also played a key role in preaching the tenets of Sikhism on one hand and undertaking several philanthropic tasks in the service of mankind on the other.
The Chief Minister said that Sant Baba Isher Singh Ji had always preached the message of communal harmony and peace across the globe due to which he was highly revered not only in India but in foreign countries also. Mr. Badal further said that the state government was following the footsteps of great Gurus, Saints and Seers to maintain communal harmony, brotherhood and amity in the state at all costs. He further said that the Punjab government has also laid special focus on development of the religious institutions and towns of historical importance in the state to perpetuate the legacy of great religious leaders.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Speaker of Punjab Legislative Assembly Dr. Charanjeet Singh Atwal, Rajya Sabha MP Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Chairman Punjab State Subordinate Services Selection Board Jathedar Santa Singh Umedpuri and former Minister Mr. Jagdish Singh Garcha.