Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal on Friday said that the State Government would consider the matter of taking the devotees to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan on the occasion of 550th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev and the same would be taken up with the Central Government.
“The State Government had earlier started two special trains one from Ambala and other from Sirsa to take devotees for the 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh in Patna Sahib last year,” said Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal while presiding over the first meeting of State Level Committee for the celebrations of 550th Birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev at Kurukshetra.
He said that to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in a big way, a ‘yatra’ would be organized covering those places in the state which had been visited by the Guru.
“Such places have already been identified in the state,” he added.
Earlier, the Chief Minister sought suggestions from the members of the Committee for the year-long celebrations which will continue till November next.
The State Government has constituted a 100-member organizing committee under the chairmanship of Chief Minister for celebrating the 550th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev in the state.
Manohar Lal said that the yatra would pass through different parts of the state.
He said that an App would be developed soon on which information about the places visited by Guru Nanak Dev along with year of his visit, name of Gurughars on those places would be made available for the people.
The Chief Minister said that Guru Nanak Dev performed an Aarti ‘Gagan Me Thal’ in Jagannath Puri. This Aarti would be played at any one big lake in the State through light and sound system. The name of the lake would be finalized soon.
Apart from this, to apprise the young generation about the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev, seminars and competitions would be organized in school, colleges and universities as a part of the year long celebrations, he said.
While exhorting the people to come forward and assist the State Government in its fight against the drug menace, he said that de-addiction centers in the name of Guru Nanak Dev would be opened in the state.
He said that the State Government has decided to launch an extensive campaign to keep the youth away from drugs. Recently, he has convened a meeting of Chief Ministers of northern states to evolve an effective mechanism to deal with the problem of drug menace especially in northern states due to increased smuggling of drugs through Pakistan border, he said.
The Chief Minister also said that the Sikh Community has always been in the forefront in serving the society.
Though Langar is arranged by the Gurughars, in case they want to start similar service at Chowks (roundabouts) for the poor people, the State Government would provide assistance for the same, he said.
He said that the State Government has started an ‘Antyodaya Thali’ programme under which food is provided to the poor people at nominate rate of Rs 10. The remaining cost is borne by the State Government.
While referring to Kurukshetra, Manohar Lal said that it was the land where Lord Krishna had delivered celestial message of Gita to Arjuna. It was the first occasion when scriptures (Shastra) and weapons (Shastar) were used in the same battlefield.
Haryana had a glorious history of great saints and personalities who have shown path to the society through their teachings. Recognizing their contribution to the society, the present State Government has celebrated the Jayantis of great personalities at the state level, he added.
Speaking on this occasion, Baba Jatinder Pal Singh Sodhi, the 10th ancestor of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur said that there is a need to inculcate the moral and religious values among the children right from the early age to enable them to contribute in building a new nation.
Director General, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department Sameer Pal Srow, who is also the member secretary of organizing committee said that valuable suggestions that emerged from today’s meeting would definitely help in organizing a series of programmes during the year long celebrations.