Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday batted for strengthening the religious, cultural and social bond among States in the country.
Badal, addressing a gathering after inaugurating Baba Namdev Ji College, said that in the present scenario, it is the need of the hour to promote communal harmony and brotherhood across the country. He asserted that to achieve the same, Guru Granth Sahib is the “lighthouse of socialism and secularism” and can guide the path to the entire country.
Setting up of the university by the State Government is a step towards this direction to further strengthen the ties with the people of Maharashtra, he said.
Badal said that in recognition of the supreme sacrifice made by Rajguru, who attained martyrdom along with Bhagat Singh, the state government has made a contribution in giving a facelift to his memorial in his native town in Maharashtra.
Recalling the strong bond between the people of Punjab and Maharashtra, Badal said that the great spiritual ambassador Baba Namdev, who hailed from Maharashtra, spent 19 years of his life in this town of the state and gave the message of equality and oneness of God to the people.
Badal said that from the centuries, people from both the states have been visiting these holy places of immense religious importance due to which a strong bond has developed amongst them.
Union Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu nd Member of Parliament Sharad Pawar along with other dignitaries were present in the function.
He assured the dignitaries and office bearers of Sarhad foundation that the state government will extend full support and cooperation to them for constructing the Yatri Niwas and language Bhawan.
“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,” Badal said.
He added that Prabhu has done a lot for Punjab and even a Railways Minister from the state could not have done so much.
Hailing the Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu for giving green signal to number of projects for the state, Badal said that every Punjabi was indebted to him for this magnanimity.
Recalling 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, Badal said that it was the high time that the Central Government 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,” he added. Announcing a slew of gifts for the state, the Union Railways Minister Prabhu announced that the Ministry would expedite the work on Amritsar-Ferozepur, Rajpura-Chandigarh, Riwari-ludhiana and other important projects of the state.
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.
Former Union Minister and lok Sabha MP Sharad Pawar, in his address, 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.
Describing Badal as a ‘man of action, Pawar said that by constructing the college within an year of its announcement, Badal has proved that he honours every promise made to the people. The former Union Minister said that Badal was an example of how promises were fulfilled within a record span with full responsibility. He said that this college would help in further propagating the message of Baba Namdev among our younger generations.