Punjab Government on Wednesday reviewed the preparations for 550th parkash purb celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, and decided to celebrate ‘Dera Baba Nanak Utsav’ in the first fortnight of November at Dera Baba Nanak.
The state Cooperation Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa met the higher officials of various departments to review the preparations, and decided to summon a meeting of concerned officials on August 9 at Dera Baba Nanak for inspecting the work being executed at the site of function besides the work related to the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.
“During the first fortnight of November, ‘Dera Baba Nanak Utsav’ would be held at Dera Baba Nanak. During the course of this ‘Utsav’, the fusion of art and literary forms, the masses would be made aware of the life and philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev,” said the Minister.
The Minister said that the corridor is being opened for enabling the devotees to visit Gurudwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib on the pious occasion of the 550th parkash purb celebrations. “Sri Kartarpur Sahib corridor is a big gift for the entire ‘Nanak Naam Leva Sangat’ and the Punjab Government would not leave any stone unturned in making the celebrations memorial one,” he added.Directions were issued to the officers of all the departments to strive for further improvement in the basic infrastructure of Dera Baba Nanak owing to the expected massive rush of devotees during the celebrations.He emphasized the strengthening of the road network, absolute cleanliness and adequate parking spaces. “It must be ensured that the devotees face no obstacle during the celebrations,” he said adding that he would personally inspect the works on August 9 in a meeting with the higher officials and the District Administration.
SPORTS EXTRAVAGANZA TO COMMEMORATE THE EVENT
Punjab Government has decided to commemorate the Guru Nanak Dev’s 500th birth anniversary celebrations by organising international Kabaddi tournament, cycle rally and Federation Cup Volleyball tournament.
“Punjab Government is fully committed to the creation of a robust sporting infrastructure in the state so as to attract the youth towards sports. It is in keeping with this ideology that the Sports Department has chalked out a comprehensive roadmap to organize an international style Kabaddi tournament besides other competitions such as cycle rally and Jallianwala Bagh Centenary Federation Cup Volleyball tournament in commemoration of the 550th parkash purb celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev,” said the state
Sodhi, while presiding over a meeting held in connection with the sporting events, said that an International Kabaddi tournament would be held across the State from December 1-15, 2019.
“A total of nine teams would participate in the tournament including hosts India. Invitations would be sent to the teams from USA, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, England, Canada, Sri Lanka while Kenya has been kept on standby,” he said adding that this tournament would be played in Circle Style format while the matches to be played across the state at District level would be as per National Style format.He said that the winning team would be given the prize money of Rs 25 lakhs while all the teams would be provided tickets, boarding and lodging.Regarding cycle rally, Sodhi said that the event would be held on November 2, and would begin from Amritsar and culminates at Dera Baba Nanak.
“Federation Gold Cup Volleyball tournament, dedicated to the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, would also be organized from September 27 to October 3 at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar,” he added.Reiterating that these sporting events would go a long way in taking forward the ‘Mission Tandarust Punjab’ by making the youth of the state take up sports and make the State as well as the country proud, the Minister said that the sporting events are in perfect sync with the philosophy of Guru Sahiban about having a sound mind in a sound body.