Chandigarh, February 2: Hailing the efforts of the Arya Samaj in eliminating the societal evils, Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Lal said that Arya Samaj is not a ‘Samaj’ but a movement. He said that Jyanti of Maharishi Dayanand, the founder of Arya Samaj, would be celebrated all across the state on February 18, 2020 in a befitting manner to make the people aware about his ideology.

Mr. Manohar Lal was addressing people in the Arya Samaj's conference in Rohtak today. He paid homage to Acharya Baldev and said that Acharya Baldev served the Arya Samaj movement and was instrumental in spreading its principles to all.

He said that the Arya Samaj has contributed in nation building as the Samaj lays stress on removing social evils besides creating awareness in environmental protection, de-addiction, women education etc. The Chief Minister also announced a grant of Rs. 21 lakh from his voluntary fund to Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Haryana.

The Chief Minister said that beside basic requirements of the society – food, water and shelter – which are important, education and is equally important. He said that development of man is important as it leads to nation-building. He said that the Arya Samaj has played a prominent role in nation-building.

To keep a check on increasing usage of drugs, the Chief Minister said that if in a village, ten percent of the voters will demand against opening of liquor vends then these would not be opened.

The Chief Minister said that Arya Samaj opposed many social evils including caste system. He said that we have given the slogan 'Haryana Ek-Haryanvi Ek' for equal development of the state.

Mr. Manohar Lal said that the government has decided that the MLAs will be invited to discuss the teachings of Arya Samaj on February 18 on the occasion of Maharishi Dayanand Jayanti. Similar programs will also be organized in educational institutions. The people present at the function supported the Chief Minister's proposal that ideology of the personalities should be discussed on their Jayantis so that people can be inspired.

The Chief Minister said that at the meeting of Chief Ministers of various states recently, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has appreciated the zero-budget farming. Praising Gujrat’s Governor Acharya Devvrat for this work, he said that the zero-budget farming will benefit the farmers.

Presiding over the program, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat said that Acharya Baldev devoted his entire life in the service of the teachings of the Arya Samaj. He also announced a grant of Rs. 10 lakh from his voluntary fund to Arya Pratinidhi Sabha Haryana.

Acharya Devvrat said that the campaign of natural farming will be carried out in the entire state, which will be on zero budget farming.