Punjab Government has allocated Rs 300 crore for the celebration of 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev this year, Finance Minister Manpreet Badal said while presenting the state budget.
“The Government of Punjab as a humble tribute has endeavoured to celebrate ‘550th Prakash Purab’ of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is a momentous occasion to celebrate and dedicate ourselves to the message of universal brotherhood given by the Great Guru,” Badal said in his speech.
As a part of the ongoing celebrations, the state government has already launched a series of infrastructure development programmes in the historic towns of Sultanpur Lodhi, Dera Baba Nanak and Batala, Badal said.
“We shall set up a heritage museum, named ‘Pind Babe Nanak Da, at Sultanpur Lodhi, depicting the life and times of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The museum would help to connect with Punjabis who have been away from Punjab for a long time,” Badal said. He said as a part of the celebrations, the government shall establish the Sri Guru Nanak Dev National Institute of Inter-faith Studies in Guru Nanak Dev University at Amritsar.
"I also propose a humble allocation of Rs 300 crore in 2019-20 for celebration of 550th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. I assure the House that suitable additional support, whatever and whenever required, would also be provided during the year to mark these celebrations,” said Badal.