Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced to give Wheat at Re one per kg instead of Rs four, to nearly 30 lakh beneficiaries, thereby doubling their number from existing 15 lakh under the flagship scheme of Atta-Dal as a pro-poor initiative of the SAD-BJP alliance government in the state.Addressing virtually a sea of humanity converged here at the Sacred Sri Valmeki Ashram (Ram Tirath) after unveiling the plaque to mark the foundation stone laying ceremony of Rs 115 crore state-of-the art historical monument cum Temple with inbuilt Museum, Panorama and convention hall here today amidst the blessings of several saints, spiritual gurus and religious leaders during the state level function on the Pargat pas of Bhagwan Valmeki Ji, the Chief Minister announced to extend this scheme to ensure two square meals a day to several left out poor families adding he said, “poor man’s mouth was guru’s golak”. He further said that the extension of this scheme on this historic day would be a humble tribute to Bhagwan Valmeki Ji.
The Chief Minister further said that the civil works on this upcoming temple would begin within next two months so that it could be completed within nearly two years. He said that the design lay out and site plan had already been approved and finalized, which has been meticulously prepared by team of renowned architects of Sri Guru Ram Das Department of Planning and Architecture, GNDU Amritsar to develop this unique monument as a world class architectural marvel. Later on the Chief Minister accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia and state BJP President Mr. Kamal Sharma paid obeisance at Sri Valmeki Ashram Temple. The Chief Minister called upon the people to follow the message of religious tolerance, harmony, peace and amity as preached by this great spiritual and religious Guru, Bhagwan Valmeki Ji, to carve out an egalitarian society for ushering an era of overall development and prosperity in the state. Mr. Badal categorically said that he, his government and even the SAD-BJP alliance was not here to take credit for this gigantic project of immense religious and sentimental value for Valmeki community rather it was the pine power which guided them to work in unison to cherish the aspirations of this community since time immemorial into a reality. Without mincing any words he said that this world class temple had been conceptualized merely with the blessings of Bhagwan Valmeki Ji and would be completed by His grace too. Mr. Badal said that none should misconstrue the pro-poor initiatives taken by the alliance government as to appease a particular section of society rather these decisions were consciously taken for the welfare of all sections of the society in the larger public interest thereby displaying a sense of deep commitment towards the amelioration of the lot of poor, who were blatantly neglected since long.
The Chief Minister highly complemented the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal for taking such path breaking decisions for the well being of poor and downtrodden sections of society and said several such new schemes would be launched in the coming days for the welfare of the oppressed and disadvantaged sections of the society. He said these schemes aimed at to mitigate the woes of poor were the brain child of Deputy Chief Minister whose thrust was on the concept of ‘inclusive development’ of the state and none should do any sort of politicking on such noble cause. Mr. Badal said that his government has already planned to showcase the rich legacy of our cultural heritage and glorious past through erecting monuments like Jang-e-Azaadi at Kartarpur near Jalandhar, War Memorial at Amritsar and several such memorials to propagate the philosophy of great Saint Guru Ravidass Ji in village Khuralgarh in Hoshiarpur besides a state-of-the art monument in the memory of Baba Jiwan Singh fondly remembered as Bhai Jaita at Sri Anandpur Sahib. The underlying objective of these memorials was to keep our future generations abreast with the rich cultural heritage otherwise it would have been faded away with the passage of time, he added.
The Chief Minister envisioned that the upcoming temple at Sri Valmeki Ashram would prove to be a milestone in further cementing the bonds of communal harmony, brotherhood and peace thereby strengthening the secular fabric of the society. He said that today’s historic occasion was not a moment of elation merely for Punjabis, Valmeki community or our countrymen rather it was for the entire humanity living across the globe. Highly enthused by the philosophy of ‘Ramayana’- the great epic created by Bhagwan Valmeki Ji, who was the first ever poet in the world and greatest scholar of Sanskrit, Mr. Badal said that he gave the concept of Ram Rajya- the ideal state as enshrined in ‘Ramayana’. He said that after the Kingdom of Lord Rama such regime based on love, peace, justice and equity was witnessed during the rule of first great Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Mr. Badal as a humble servant of people of the state, said he has drawn inspiration and spirit to serve the people with all humility by God’s grace from the teachings of Bhagwan Valmeki Ji, who laid down the ethics for an ideal state, ruler and society.
The Chief Minister reiterated his firm resolve to cherish the aspirations of all sections of society especially the poor and unprivileged ones by initiating schemes to provide quality education to their children and Dr. Hargobind Khurana post Matric scholarship scheme was a step in this direction to provide Rs 30000 as scholarship per annum to the meritorious students securing 80% of more marks. Mr. Badal also impressed upon the Valmeki community to sink their differences for the sake of narrow vested interests and get united for the welfare and uplift of the community. On the occasion he announced that the existing Amritsar-Ram Tirath road would be four laned to enable the devotees for paying their obeisance in a hassle free manner.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the SAD-BJP alliance government in Punjab was secular to the core as it has really depicted the national ethos of ‘unity in persity’ by giving due recognition, respect and reverence to all the religions, sects and communities regardless of caste, color and creed. Expressing solidarity with the religious sentiments of the people, the Deputy Chief Minister said that our government had been commemorating all these religious events and festivals collectively by regularly organizing state level functions across the state on the directions of the Chief Minister. He also appreciated the Chief Minister for closely monitoring the entire development of this prestigious project from the stage of conception to its foundation laying. The Deputy Chief Minister said that Mr. Badal was deeply concerned about the hardships and genuine problems being faced by the poor as a grass root leader because he could easily feel their pulse being interactive with them adding he said the pro-poor schemes like Shagun, Old Age and Widow pensions, Mai Bhago Istri Vidya Scheme and several others were an outcome of Chief Minister’s grave deep sense of commitment and passion for their well being. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal commended the stupendous efforts made by Revenue Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia for making this mega event a grand success by taking personal pains to ensure comfortable stay of devotees, hassle free transport arrangements besides ensuring flawless seating arrangements during the function.
Paying tributes to Bhagwan Valmeki Ji, state BJP President Mr. Kamal Sharma said that SAD-BJP alliance government was the only government which sincerely works for the welfare of poor and disadvantaged sections of society besides safeguarding their interests. He said this upcoming temple at Sri Bhagwan Ashram was reflective of state government’s commitment to give due respect and recoginition to all the religions thereby rising above the parochial considerations.
Striking an emotional chord, Chairman of National Commission for Schedule Castes Dr. Rajkumar Verka said that he was personally indebted to the Chief Minister for undertaking this historic task which has finally given a feeling of solace and sense of belongingness to the Valmeki community for the first time in the history of India. Being a head of the NCSC Dr. Verka highly commended the role of Punjab government for giving honor and recognition to the Valmeki community thereby fulfilling their long cherished desire for the construction of this temple at Sri Valmeki Ashram.
Meanwhile Cabinet Minister Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike conducted the proceedings of the state and Speaker Punjab Assembly Dr. Charanjit Singh Atwal proposed a vote of thanks thereby expressing gratitude to the people, saints, seers and prophets who participated in the function to give a message of love, peace and harmony amongst the mankind.
On the occasion, eminent Sufi Singer Hans Raj Hans regaled the audience with his spiritual creation in the admiration of Bhagwan Valmeki Ji and the lakhs of people gave him a thunderous applause.
Prominent dignitaries, religious leaders and spiritual gurus included Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Mal Singh, founder of Art of living Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Baba Kashmira Singh, Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, Baba Nirmal Singh Jaure Wale, Shankarcharya Mr. Darshan Rattan Raavan, Swami Vivekanand, Head of Dam Dami Taksal Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma, Sant Baba Pargat Nath, Habeeb Ur Rehman, Sant Baba Nirmal Singh Avadaan, Baba Nihal Singh Harian Welaan Wale and several others.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Cabinet Ministers Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Mr. Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Mr. Sharanjeet Singh Dhillon, Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Mr. Chunni Lal Bhagat, Mr. Anil Joshi, Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar and Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Rajya Sabha MP Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Lok Sabha MPs Mrs. Paramjeet kaur Gulshan, Mr. Sher Singh Ghubaya, Dr. Rattan Singh Ajnala, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Prof. Virsa Singh Valtoha, Mr. Pawan Kumar Teenu, Mr. Avinash Chander, Mr. KD Bhandari, Babu Parkash Chand Garg, Mr. Inderbir Singh Bularia, Mrs. Navjot Kaur Sidhu, Mrs. Farzaana Aalam, Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Mr. NK Sharma, Mr. GS Babbehali and Mr. Des Raj Dhugga, MLAs Bibi Jagir Kaur and Mr. Manjit Singh Manna, President SGPC Jathedar Avtar Singh, President DSGMC Mr. Manjeet Singh GK, Advisor to Chief Minister on National Affairs and Media Mr. Harcharan Bains, Advisor Chief Minister Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Media Advisor to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Jangveer Singh, former Ministers Jathedar Ranjeet Singh Brahmpura, Mr. Nirmal Singh Kahlon, Mr. Sucha Singh Langah, Jathedar Sewa Singh Sekhwan. Apart from these several senior leaders and party workers of SAD-BJP besides members of SGPC and leaders and workers of Youth Akali Dal also graced the occasion.