Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clear the State Government’s proposal for launching various projects worth Rs 937 crores, including the development of Sri Anandpur Sahib as smart city, to pay befitting tributes to Sikhs’ ninth master Guru Tegh Bahadur, whose 400th prakash purab (birth anniversary) is being celebrated this year.
Capt Amarinder, participating virtually in the high-level national committee meeting convened by the Prime Minister to finalise plans for celebration of the 400th prakash purab, said: “We are all fortunate to celebrate this great event in our lifetimes and I urge Modi ji to ensure that this historic event is commemorated not only at national but at a global level.”
He said that Guru Tegh Bahadur, also known as Hind Di Chadar, stands as a shining symbol of our country’s great pluralistic tradition and secularism, and his supreme sacrifice – ‘sis diya par sirr na diya’ – forms an important part of India’s history.
The Chief Minister said that he was “blessed” as during his present tenure, he had got the opportunity to be part of the grand celebrations of the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh and the 550th prakash purab of Guru Nanak Dev also.
“Even during my last tenure, I was fortunate to be part of the celebrations of the 400th anniversary of Guru Granth Sahib,” he said.
Briefing the Prime Minister on the memorandum sent to the Centre in this regard, Capt Amarinder said that his Government plans to duly recognize the towns and villages associated with the life of Guru Sahib in the State by upgrading their infrastructure.
Besides the city of Amritsar, the town of Sri Anandpur Sahib and Baba Bakala are significant in this regard, he said. In addition, he said that there are 78 villages in the state graced by the Guru (charan chho prapt).
Capt Amarinder said that the proposal sent by the State Government includes projects for development of infrastructure in and around Sri Anandpur Sahib, Amritsar, and Baba Bakala; rejuvenation of village ponds and traditional water bodies for water conservation in 78 Punjab villages that were visited by the Guru; and setting up Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur School of textile technology and Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Institute of handicrafts at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and Sathiala, Baba Bakala, respectively.
The Chief Minister further requested the Prime Minister that the Union Government should release a special commemorative stamp on this occasion. He suggested that the commemorative events should be held all across the country, as well as at all Indian missions abroad, in order to carry the powerful message of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur’s life.
Capt Amarinder informed the Prime Minister that the details of the main programme on May 1 are being finalized, keeping in mind the COVID situation in the country and particularly in Punjab.
The Chief Minister thanked the Prime Minister and the Home Minister Amit Shah for making elaborate plans for celebrations of this historic event across the country.
“I’m grateful to you for giving such prominence to this event, as normally it is left to the state or communities to manage such celebrations,” he said while also appreciating Haryana Chief Minister’s assurance of organizing befitting celebrations in his State too.