Laying stress on further strengthening religious, cultural and social bond amongst the states of country, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that it would help in cementing the ethos of unity and integrity besides the social fabric of the nation.
Addressing the massive gathering after inaugurating the newly constructed Baba Namdev Ji college and laying foundation stone of Yatri Niwas here today, the Chief Minister said that in the present scenario it was the need of hour to promote communal harmony and brotherhood across the country. He said that for it Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, which was the ‘lighthouse of socialism and secularism’, could guide the path to the entire country.
The Chief Minister said that the setting up of Baba Namdev University College by the state government was a step towards this direction to further strengthen the ties with the people of Maharashtra. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that in recognition to supreme sacrifice made by great patriot Shaheed Rajguru , who attained martyrdom along with Shaheed-e-Aazam Bhagat Singh, the state government has also made a humble contribution in giving a facelift to his memorial in native town of this great national hero in Maharashtra. He said that these initiatives were aimed at further strengthening the bonds of love and affinity with people of Maharashtra.
Recalling the strong bond between the people of Punjab and Maharashtra, the Chief Minister said that the great spiritual ambassador Baba Namdev ji, who hailed from Maharashtra, spent 19 years of his life in this town of state and gave the message of equality and oneness of God to the people. Likewise, he said that the tenth master of Sikhs Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji spent last days of his life in Sri Huzur Sahib (Nanded) in Maharashtra. Mr. Badal said that from centuries people from both the state have been visiting these holy places of immense religious importance due to which a strong bond has been developed amongst them.
Welcoming the Union Railways Minister Mr. Suresh Prabhu, former Union Minister and Member Parliament Mr. Sharad Pawar along with other dignitaries in the function, the Chief Minister said that it was a proud moment for them as the entire ‘intelligentsia of Maharashtra’ was today visiting the state. Mr. Badal said that he was thankful to all the dignitaries for paying a visit to the state. He also assured the dignitaries and office bearers of Sarhad foundation that the state government would extend fulsome support and cooperation to them for constructing Yatri Niwas and Language Bhawan at this place. “I extend a permanent invitation to all the dignitaries and Maharashtrians to visit this place every year so that the state government can welcome them” added Mr. Badal.
Hailing the Union Railways Minister Mr. Suresh Prabhu for giving green signal to number of projects for the state, the Chief Minister said that every Punjabi was indebted to him for this magnanimity. He said that Mr. Prabhu has done a lot for the state adding that even a Railways Minister from the state could not have done so much for Punjab.
Recalling the immense contribution made by the hardworking and resilient Punjabis in making the country self reliant in food production, ensuring the defense of country and making the country free from shackles of foreign imperialism, the Chief Minister said that it was the high time that the Government of India (GoI) must generously help the state in recognition to the marvelous services rendered by Punjabis. He said that Punjab’s stellar role in country’s progress was a testimony to the fact that if the state was strong then the country would be stronger. “We have suffered a lot during the partition and it is the high time that the Union government must help the brave and patriotic people of Punjab” added Mr. Badal.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the SAD-BJP alliance government was according top priority to strengthening the ethos of communal harmony, peace, amity and brotherhood in the state. Likewise, he said that special thrust has been laid on ensuring the overall development in the state. “We are leaving no stone unturned for achieving this twin goal” added Mr. Badal.
The Chief Minister further said for the first time massive steps have been taken by state government to preserve rich cultural heritage of Punjab by construction of state of the art memorials like Virasat e Khalsa, Chappar Chiri War memorial and others. He said that a number of other memorials like Jang e Azaadi, War Heroes Memorial, Sri Ram Tirath Temple, Sri Guru Ravidass memorial and others were under various phases of construction. “Punjabis have penchant of creating history but for the first time efforts have been taken topreserve it for our younger generations”, added Mr Badal.
Earlier in his address, the Union Railways Minister Mr. Suresh Prabhu lauded the Chief Minister for constructing this state-of-the art college, which would help in further cementing the bond between people of Punjab and Maharashtra. He also said that this historic step taken by the state government would help in perpetuating the glorious heritage of Baba Namdev Ji.
` Announcing a slew of gifts for the state, the Union Minister announced that the Railways Ministry would expedite the work on Amritsar-Ferozepur, Rajpura-Chandigarh, Riwari-Ludhiana and other important projects of the state. Mr. Prabhu said that he had already asked the General Manager of Railways to look into the matter. He also appreciated the Chief Minister for constantly taking up this issue with them for the sake of state and its people.
In his address the former Union Minister and Lok Sabha MP Mr. Sharad Pawar also lauded the Chief Minister for working relentlessly to safeguard the interests of state and its people besides strengthening unity and integrity in the country. He said that Mr. Badal was the leader of the farmers of the country, who was always concerned for the upliftment of farming community.
Describing the Chief Minister as a ‘man of action, Mr. Pawar said that by constructing the college within an year of its announcement, Mr. Badal has proved that he honours every promise made to people. The former Union Minister said that Mr. Badal was an example of how promises were fulfilled within a record span with full responsibility. Mr. Pawar said that this college would help in further propagating the message of Baba Namdev Ji amongst our younger generations.
Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Cabinet Ministers Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia and Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, state BJP President and Union Minister of state Mr. Vijay Sampla, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Mrs. Sukhjit Kaur Sahi and Mr. Des Raj Dhugga, Chairman Punjab State Technical Education Board Jathedar Sewa Singh Sekhwan, former Punjab Minister Jathedar Sucha Singh Langah, MLA Mr. Baljit Singh Jalal Usma, Chairman Punjab State Tubewell Corporation Mr. Ravi Inder Singh Kahlon, former MLA Mr. Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal and Mr. Jagdish Raj Sahni, President Sarhad foundation Mr. Sanjay Nahar, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. Kunwar Vijay Pratap, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Pradeep Sabharwal and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Diljinder Singh Dhillon.
