Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday announced to develop Khuralgarh, the sacred place associated with Guru Ravidass, as a world class pilgrimage centre to propagate the message of divinity, communal harmony, peace, universal brotherhood and compassion as preached by Guru Ravidass through his all pervasive philosophy, life and works.
Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of Guru Ravidass memorial here in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and several saints and religious preachers, the Chief Minister reiterated that the State Government has undertaken several projects of immense ethnic significance like Virasat-e-khalsa, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath besides the upcoming Jang-e-Azadi memorial and War Heroes memorial to showcase the enormous contribution of Punjabis in the national freedom struggle and role of our brave soldiers in the defence of our country.
He said that it was the paramount duty of the government to preserve the cultural heritage of the state to keep our youngsters abreast with our glorious past.
Badal said that those nations which tend to forget their cultural legacy were bound to be doomed.
The Chief Minister said that this world class memorial would be a befitting tribute to Guru Ravidass, which would act as a lighthouse to perpetuate the life and teachings of this great Guru.
He said that Guru Ravidass was a great exponent of Bhakti movement and messiah of the poor and downtrodden, who taught us to lead a virtuous and noble life adding that his life and philosophy still continues to guide humanity towards an egalitarian society.
The Chief Minister said that this memorial would be an architectural marvel, which once completed would have a spacious congregation hall having a capacity to accommodate ten thousand pilgrims and a state-of-the art auditorium equipped with all the modern audio-visual aids to showcase the life and works of Guru Ravidass.
He said that the auditorium would accommodate nearly 500 pilgrims during any function or event.
Badal further said that the hallmark of this world class memorial would be a tall erected structure ‘Minar-e-Begampura’ which would be of 151 feet high.
Reaffirming his commitment for the overall development and welfare of weaker and underprivileged sections of the society, the Chief Minister said that the SAD-BJP alliance government was the only votary to safeguard their rights.
He said that the Atta Dal, Shagun, pension and post matric scholarship scheme, meritorious schools were amongst the several pro-poor initiatives to ensure quality of life to these oppressed sections of the society.
Badal said that other political parties especially the Congress exploited this section as their vote bank but never bothered to do anything tangible for their growth and prosperity.
The Chief Minister said that the upcoming Guru Ravidass memorial was a humble tribute by the State Government to spread Guru’s philosophy, who envisioned a concept of ‘Begampura (a city free from the pangs of agony)’.
He also announced a development grant of `2 crore to spruce up village Khuralgarh and Bassi with ultra modern amenities like drinking water, street lights, roads and sewerage, a step in a direction to create an aura of peaceful living so as to enable the residents to realize the goal of salvation.
Badal mentioned that Guru Ravidass spent four years and over two months at this sacred place in the pursuit of spiritualism.
He hoped that millions of devotees from across the globe would converge here to pay their obeisance to great religious ambassador, who called upon the entire mankind to follow the path of divinity thereby abrogating the shams of casteism and other social evils.
Earlier in his address, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal hailed Chief Minister for strengthening communal harmony and brotherhood in the state besides preserving and promoting majestic and secular cultural ties of Punjabis.
Deputy CM disclosed that Guru Ravidass memorial would be constructed at a cost of Rs 110 crore and after it comes to fruition, people from India and abroad will throng for pilgrimage as it would give the message of universal peace and brotherhood.
He added the State Government had constructed several monuments for all religions in the state to preserve, promote the rich religio-cultural heritage of Punjab to guide the coming generations.
Sukhbir Badal also divulged that Punjab government has started “Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra” scheme for all religions and communities and facilitated poor and old people for pilgrimage free of cost to their sacred places.