Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab In-Charge and senior leader Manish Sisodia, on the auspicious occasion of the first day of Navratri, visited the revered Kali Mata Mandir in Patiala. Joined by Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, Sisodia sought blessings from the Goddess, praying for Punjab’s prosperity, happiness, and strength in the fight against drug menace.
Speaking on the occasion, Sisodia expressed his devotion, saying, "This is not just a festival; Navratri is a spiritual journey. These nine days are when we connect deeply with the divine energies within us and find the strength to overcome challenges."
Sisodia highlighted the role of Maa Kali in eradicating evil and drew a parallel to the ongoing efforts by the Punjab Government to eliminate drug abuse and other societal challenges. “The blessings of Maa Kali, who is revered for destroying demons and evil, empower us to fight modern-day demons like drug addiction.
With her divine guidance, Punjab will soon be free of this menace," he remarked. Reiterating the AAP government’s commitment, Sisodia said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government has undertaken a vigorous campaign to tackle drug addiction.
“Without divine blessings, fighting such a deep-rooted problem is impossible,” he noted, emphasizing that the government is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to eliminate drugs from the state. Sisodia pointed out the recent progress made under the leadership of CM Mann.
"The garbage of corruption and negligence left by previous governments has been cleaned up. Now, Punjab is marching ahead with even greater speed," he said. He also urged Punjab’s youth to stay away from gangsters and illegal activities.
"Falling into such traps leads to devastating consequences—police action, legal struggles, and ruined lives. Youngsters must steer clear of these evils to secure a bright future for themselves and Punjab," Sisodia warned.
Highlighting AAP’s revolutionary work in the field of education, Sisodia shared personal experience from his visit to government schools in Punjab. “Yesterday, I attended a Parent-Teacher Meeting (PTM) and interacted with students.
I learned that many parents are now withdrawing their children from private schools to enroll them in government schools because of the remarkable improvements. This is nothing short of an educational revolution,” he said.
He recounted a story of a village child who, despite his modest background, cleared the prestigious JEE exam and is set to achieve great heights. “This is the transformative power of quality education,” Sisodia added.
Sisodia proudly stated, "Not a single school in Punjab today has children sitting on the floor. Issues like boundary walls have been addressed, and teachers are receiving world-class training to ensure our children get a world-class education."
He further mentioned that Punjab’s children are excelling so much that they were selected to witness the launch of Chandrayaan. "Building a better future for Punjab’s children is the same as building a better future for Punjab itself," Sisodia affirmed.
Sharing his thoughts on X, Sisodia extended warm wishes on Navratri, "These nine days are a celebration of divine energies and a time to connect deeply with our inner strength. Today, on the first day of Navratri, I had the privilege of bowing before Maa Kali at her ancient temple in Patiala.
Standing here fills one with a profound sense of peace and energy." He added, "I prayed to Maa Kali for happiness, health, and prosperity for everyone. May every child receive quality education, every home have sufficient food, and every heart be filled with love.
With Maa’s blessings, Punjab will prosper, and the nation will move forward." Sisodia concluded by seeking strength from the divine, saying, "I prayed for the strength to serve people tirelessly and overcome every challenge with patience, love, and truth.
The message of Navratri is clear—every divine power resides within us. Let’s use it for the greater good."