Batting for the need to observe martyrdom day of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib at national level, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that it would help in promoting the ethos of secularism, communal harmony and brotherhood in the country.Addressing the mammoth gathering converged here at Mata Nanaki Gurmat Sammelan on the inaugural day of celebrations to mark 350th foundation day of Sri Anandpur Sahib here today, the Chief minister said that the ninth guru who founded this holy town was an epitome of socialism and secularism as he sacrificed his life for the sake of preserving human rights in the country. He said that observation of the martyrdom of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib would not only a humble tribute to this great Sikh Guru on one hand and would further cement the ties between people on the other. “The life and philosophy of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur is a lighthouse for all us”, added Badal.
Terming the foundation stone of Sri Anandpur Sahib as a revolutionary step in the annals of Indian history, the Chief Minister said that the foundation of socialism and secularism was laid on this sacred land by the great Sikh gurus. He said that the tenth master of Sikhs Sri Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa panth on this sacred land which proved to be a milestone in forming a casteless and secular society in the country.Listing several initiatives taken by the state government to perpetuate the glorious legacy of the state, the chief minister said that that the state government has spend nearly Rs 1000 crore for perpetuating the rich legacy of state by creating a network of several magnificent memorials viz. Virasat-e-Khalsa, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial, Chotta Ghallugara and Vadda Ghalugarra memorials.
Apart from these several other state of the art memorials like Jang-e-Azaadi, War Heroes Memorial cum museum, Baba Jiwan Singh Memorial, Sri Guru Ravidass memorial and others were in pipeline. Mr. Badal said that the sole aim of constructing these memorials was to keep our younger generations abreast with the glorious and rich cultural and historic legacy of the state.Recalling the immense contribution of Punjab as the sword arm of the country, the Chief Minister sad that since the time immemorial the brave people of the state had defended the country from the invasion of foreigners. Likewise, he also highlighted the role of state during the freedom struggle and in safeguarding the borders of the state after independence.
However, Badal bemoaned that the immense contribution of the state has not been duly recognized.Patting the Chief of Istri Akali Dal Bibi Jagir Kaur for organizing this sammelan on the inaugural day of these celebrations, the Chief Minister said that it was a humble tribute the stellar role played by the women from time to time. Terming that the women has been blessed with extraordinary qualities, Mr. Badal said that was why the Sikh Gurus have given great importance to the role and status of women. He exhorted the women to play a proactive role in weaning out the prevalent social maladies from the state.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Union Food Processing Minister Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Rajya Sabha MPs Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Lok Sabha MP Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Cabinet Minister Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Mr. Pawan Teenu, Mr. Nand Lal Gujjar and Mrs. Farzana Aalam, MLAs Mr. SR Kler, Justice (Retd.) Nirmal Singh, Mrs. Virender Kaur Loomba and Mr. Baljeet Singh Jalal Usma, former MP Mr. Tarlochan Singh, former Minister Jathedar Hira Singh Gabria, Bibi Gurdev Kaur Sangha and Bibi Rajiwnder Kaur besides his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema.