Parkash Singh Badal today said that all people should follow the path shown by Bhagwan Valmiki Ji and emphasized the need of making concerted efforts for propagating the teachings and philosophy of Maharishi Valmiki Ji with a view to carve out a healthy society based on equality and social justice. The CM was in city to attend the state level Luv Kush Vijay Diwas organised by Bharti Valmiki Dharam Samaj (BHAVADAS), here today.While addressing the function, the CM said that Bhagwan Valmiki Ji, the architect of first ever epic the holy 'Ramayana', had made Indian culture & civilization more broad based. Through Ramayana, Bhagwan Valmiki ji propagated the message of ideal life based on inherent values of righteousness to the society, he added.Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal 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 Lord Valmiki, who had preached the message of equality and universal brotherhood on this sacred land.
Mr. Badal said that the design of this temple cum museum has been conceived by the word class architects while keeping in mind the religious sanctity of this historic place. He said that this monument cum temple would be constructed with a cost of Rs 200 crore and more than 40 percent of the work has already been completed and it would be dedicated to the people of Punjab shortly. He said that on its part the state government was making every effort to develop this historic place as a major tourist destination of the world.
The Chief Minister said that Bhagwan Valmiki Ji 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 urged the people to follow the path and high ideals shown by Maharishi Valmiki Ji so as to carve out an egalitarian society.
The Chief Minister said that in line with the teachings of Bhagwan Valmeki Ji, the state government was laying special thrust on providing education to the poor and meritorious students of weaker sections for which Dr Hargobind Khurana scholarship scheme has been initiated to provide a scholarship of Rs 30,000 per annum to them.During the function, the CM was conferred with a title of "Dharam Ratan" by BHAVADAS. Chairman of Dalit Vikas Board, Punjab, and BHAVADAS leader Mr Vijay Danav praised the CM for his endeavours towards the Valmiki community.
Prominent among those who attended the function included Chaudhry Yashpal, Mr Naresh Dhigan, Mr Laxman Dravid, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, advisor to CM, MLA Mr Ranjit Singh Dhillon, former minister Mr Hira Singh Gabria, Punjab Planning Board vice chairman Mr Rajinder Bhandari, Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria, BJP district president Mr Parveen Bansal, Deputy Commissioner Mr Rajat Agarwal, Police Commissioner Mr Promod Ban, MC Commissioner Mr Pardeep Aggarwal, SAD district president Mr Madan Lal Bagga, besides several others.