Giving a big Christmas bonanza to the Christian brethren of the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced that the state government would construct ‘Massihi Bhawan’ at the Sub pisions of the state. Addressing the gathering during a state level function to celebrate Christmas here today, the Chief Minister said that these Bhawans would act as a catalyst for the all round development of the Christian community. Badal said that it was a matter of great pride and honor for them that the SAD-BJP alliance had initiated the program of constructing these bhawans at district level and now this scheme would be extended to every Sub-pision to facilitate the community at these levels. Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to ensure the progress and development of the community, he said that the state government would leave no stone unturned for this noble cause. The Chief Minister further said that the state government was committed to make all out efforts to provide suitable land for the burial ground required by the community across the state. He said that necessary directions have been already made to the Deputy Commissioners of all the districts to find suitable land for this purpose.
Badal said that the state government was duty bound to provide land for the burial grounds to the brethren of the Christian community and no stone would be left unturned in this regard. Likewise, the Chief Minister said that a large number of pro-poor schemes has been initiated by the state government for the welfare of the community. He said that the state government has extended the Shagun facility for the girls of the community. Similarly, Mr. Badal said that the state government was giving scholarship to the students of the community to pursue school/ college education. “If someone is facing any sort of difficulty in availing these benefits then he/ she can directly approach me for this purpose” he added. Lauding the Christian community for rendering marvelous services in the field of Education and Healthcare, the Chief Minister said that the community was serving the masses with true zeal and commitment. Mr. Badal said that he was highly grateful to the community for making stupendous efforts to serve the poor and needy adding that the state government would extend fulsome support and cooperation to the community in this noble cause. He said that the firm commitment and dedication of the Christian community inspires every inpidual to serve the mankind in real sense. Drawing a parallel between Christian and Sikh community, the Chief Minister said that both the communities have a rich tradition of fighting against tyranny, oppression and injustice. He said that while Lord Jesus Christ laid down his life for the sake of peace, communal harmony and love, the great Sikh Gurus Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Sri Guru Arjun Dev, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur and Sri Guru Gobind Singh also vehemently pleaded for universal brotherhood and love to all by opposing the mighty rulers.
Terming the SAD-BJP alliance government as the most secular government in the country, the Chief Minister said that the state government has taken path breaking initiatives for the welfare of each and every strata of society. Citing an example, Mr. Badal said that Punjab was probably the only state in country where a state level function was held to celebrate Christmas. Likewise, he said that the alliance government has given due representation to every minority in the state Minority Commission, whose Chairman was from Christian community. “We are following the footsteps of the great Sikh Gurus who have taught us the message of communal harmony, love, brotherhood, peace and above all of egalitarian society with pure secular character” he added. Earlier in his address, Revenue and Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia lauded the role played Christian community in the development of the country in general and that of state in particular. Terming that the prosperity and development of every religion was important for the progress of the country and prosperity of its people, Mr. Majithia said that he was proud to be a soldier of Mr. Badal, who has dedicated his life for the sake of communal harmony, peace and amity in the state. He said that despite of his busy schedule, the Chief Minster himself attends the program of every community and religion to express his love for them.
Expressing concern over recent incidents of ‘forcible conversion’ in some parts of the country, Mr. Majithia assured the Christian community that this may happen anywhere in India but would never be allowed on the sacred land of Punjab. He said that at the time when India was on the path of emerging as a ‘global leader’ such issues which rocks in the Parliament peeved them. Mr. Majithia said that for the progress of country every religion and community should prosper in the country. “Under the visionary and far sighted leadership of Mr. Badal, Punjab has emerged as an epitome of peace, communal harmony and brotherhood and we vow to protect this unique character of our state” he added.
On the occasion Chairman of Punjab Minorities Commission Mr. Munawar Massih welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries. Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Mr. GS Babbehali and Mr. Des Raj Dhugga, former Ministers Jathedar Sucha Singh Langah and Jathedar Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Chairman Punjab Water Resources Managment and Development Corporation Mr. Ravi Karan Singh Kahlon, Member Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board Mr. Anwar Massih, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Ajoy Sharma, Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. AK Mittal and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Abhinav Trikha.