Asserting that Satluj Yamuna link (SYl) would never become a reality, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday avowed to make every sacrifice to protect the river waters of the State.
Badal, addressing a gathering during a State-level function on the dedication of Temple-cum-Panorama complex at Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal (Ram Tirath), categorically stated that Punjab didn’t have a single drop of spare water for anyone.
Emphasising that water was basic ingredient of life and any such move to share the river waters of the State would be disastrous as it would turn Punjab into desert, he said that every Punjabi was ready to make any sacrifice for this cause.
“Not only me, but every Punjabi is duty bound to oppose this move and all of us should take pledge on this sacred place to protect the river waters of the State at any cost,” he added.
Badal said that the State Government, on its part, has already de-notified the land acquired for this canal and returned to the original owners and their lineal descendants. “However, now every Punjabi is duty-bound to secure the rights of river waters,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the state-of-art historical monument-cum-temple with inbuilt Museum and Panorama at Sri Valmiki Tirath Sthal (Ram Tirath) was a humble tribute by the State Government to Bhagwan Valmiki, who had preached the message of equality and universal brotherhood on this sacred land.
He said that this unique project, which has come up at a cost of Rs 200 crore, would be instrumental in perpetuating the rich legacy of Bhagwan Valmiki besides showcasing the teachings, life and philosophy of this great Spiritual ambassador.
He said that the world class design of this temple-cum-museum has been conceived and prepared by the architects of Guru Nanak Dev University while keeping in mind the religious sanctity of this historic place.
Recalling the superb contribution of Bhagwan Valmiki in cultural assimilation of society, the Chief Minister said: “Bhagwan Valmiki Maharaj is the pitaamah of Sanskrit language and first poet or the Adi Kavi of the world who by his immortal and masterpiece composition the ‘Ramayana’ propagated the message of victory of good over evil.”
Reiterating that it was bounden duty of the State Government to preserve our rich cultural heritage for the future generations till eternity, Badal said that those nations who tend to forget their cultural past and heritage were bound to be vanished with the passage of time.
He said that it was often said that Punjabis were known for creating history but they could not preserve it. “It goes to the credit of SAD-BJP alliance Government that for the first time in history of State, concerted efforts have been made to conserve the glorious cultural heritage of the State,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, in his address, termed the occasion as the one holding special significance in the annals of history of the state. “The project has come up at a cost of Rs 200 crore and would fulfil the spiritual needs of the devotees from all sections of society,” he said.
Calling Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal a true visionary and the one truly devoted to the principles of secularism, Sukhbir said that under his leadership, the religious days of all religions are observed with full devotion.
“Under the able guidance of the Chief Minister, the memorials belonging to all the religions and sects have been constructed…Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme has fulfilled the spiritual longings of the people who want to visit their religious places and pay their respects,” he said.
Harping the developmental schemes of the SAD-BJP Government, Sukhbir said that free power worth 200 units to SC, BC families, Shagun scheme, health insurance to the farmers and traders, surplus power, 4-6 laned roads, sewerage facilities, two lakh jobs and skill centres with permission granted by the Union Government for 1,000 more such centres has changed the face of Punjab and put it firmly on the world developmental map.
He announced that those families in the State, who still do not got gas connections, can get the same by filling forms in the offices of DC and SDM of their respective districts. More than seven lakh people would get these connections in 10 days, he said.
Sukhbir also declared that in next five years, jobs to 10 lakh youth would be provided.
Union Minister of State and Punjab BJP chief Vijay Sampla said that the weaker and underprivileged sections of society were overwhelmed and indebted to the Chief Minister for taking such steps to perpetuate the glorious legacy of Bhagwan Valmiki Maharaj and Guru Ravidass Maharaj.
“By constructing this magnificent temple, the Chief Minister has won the hearts of millions of people in the State,” said Sampla while assuring the Chief Minister that the SC brethren would pay back the alliance by extending fulsome support to it in the ensuing Assembly polls.