Calling upon all people to set aside their religious and political differences to join his government in making the commemorative events memorable, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday launched the year-long celebrations of the 550th parkash purb (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Dev.
Capt Amarinder, addressing a large gathering, greeted one and all on the auspicious occasion of Gurpurab and exhorted the people to reconnect with the teachings, principles and ideals enunciated by Guru. He also invited people from across the world to participate in the celebrations.
Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, along with various other prominent Congress leaders, including AICC secretary in-charge of state affairs Asha Kumari and Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, were also present on the auspicious occasion.
Governor VP Singh Badnore joined the year-long celebration to launch ceremony and inaugurated an exhibition ‘From Rabab to Nagara’, curated by historian and Delhi-based National Institute of Punjab Studies director Dr Mohinder Singh.
Promising that his government would do its best to observe this occasion in a befitting manner, the Chief Minister said that the State Government considered itself fortunate to be given the opportunity to observe the historic event in Punjab.
The Government will observe the event as a non-political and bi-partisan affair, he said, appealing to all people to shed their political and other differences to come together to observe this event.
Today, considerations of caste, creed, inequality are again rampant in our society, he lamented, adding, “We need to rise above these on the path shown by Guru Sahib.” If Punjab has to regain its number one position in the country, we need to maintain bhai-chara and saanjh and not get divided on different lines, asserted the Chief Minister.
Capt Amarinder said his Government would also welcome and respect the valuable suggestions from the sangat, and would leave no stone unturned to make the event an occasion to cherish and remember.
Recalling various submissions made by his government to the Prime Minister for supporting the state’s initiative for the special events, the Chief Minister thanked Narendra Modi, and the Central Government, for acceding to the requests of the State Government on behalf of the people of Punjab and Punjabis living across the world.
The Chief Minister said that money would be no constraint for the various development and welfare projects launched or announced on Friday, to ensure befitting commemoration of the historic celebrations.
Dr Manmohan Singh expressed hope that all would rise above the petty considerations of communalism and hatred to celebrate the event in a befitting manner.
AT the same time, he cautioned the people against attempts by communal forces to divide the nation, and exhorted them to participate in the year-long celebration with full enthusiasm and gaiety, regardless of caste, colour, creed and religion.
Governor Badnore said that it was a matter of pride for him to be part of the auspicious occasion, while calling for universal brotherhood as the key message of the commemorative events.
Former cricketer Kapil Dev presented his book, ‘We the Sikhs around the world’, relating to 100 Gurdwaras across the globe, to Dr Manmohan Singh, Badnore and Capt Amarinder.