Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday flagged off the first train with a delegation of 500 women Sarpanches and Panchs heading to Maharashtra for paying obeisance at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Nanded and participating in the National Convention of Women Panchayats. The Chief Minister said that it is a red letter day as a delegation of 500 women Sarpanches and Panchs from the state is departing for Maharashtra to participate in the National Convention of Women Panchayats.
He said that the delegation comprises representatives from high-performing panchayats and the purpose of this visit is to enable Punjab’s women Sarpanches and Panchs to gain new experiences through mutual discussions with panchayat representatives from other states. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this will enable these elected representatives to further ensure holistic development of their respective villages.
The Chief Minister said that the Panchayats are the “Pillars of Democracy” and in villages, schools, dispensaries, veterinary hospitals, and other public welfare arrangements are directly managed under the supervision of the Panchayats. He said that this is important for these sarpanchs and panchs as all the departments related to village development function under panchayat oversight.
Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed hope that this visit will boost the confidence of women representatives and help them gain new insights for the development of villages. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that the government will also facilitate these women Sarpanch/ Panchs to pay obeisance at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Nanded.
He reiterated that this initiative is being undertaken to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day of the ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib adding that the government will bear the entire cost of boarding and lodging for these women Sarpanch/ Panchs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this special train has been arranged to facilitate their visit to the sacred site adding that two more such trains will be sent shortly.
The Chief Minister emphasized that Nanded Sahib holds immense spiritual importance for every Punjabi, and many aspire to visit it at least once in their lifetime. He added that these women Sarpanch/ Panch exemplify the spirit of women empowerment, and the government wants to honor their contributions by enabling them to undertake this pilgrimage.
Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed hope that these Sarpanch/ Panchs would pray for peace, progress, and prosperity of the state and its people. On the occasion Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh and others were also present.