Chandigarh, April 8 - Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that Haryana is geared up to endorse the 400th Birth Anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji  by organizing special cultural, religious programmes.  A coffee table booklet based on his life journey would be released on May 1, 2021, when a grand function would be held throughout the nation and worldwide, he said.

“During the celebration series of events commenced across the state to mark the celebrations of this historic event in a befitting manner, he said.

The Chief Minister was speaking at meeting of High-Level Committee constituted for celebrations of 400th Birth Anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji held under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi through video conferencing here today. Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, Sh. Sandeep Singh was also present.

“Haryana shares a special bond with Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji as he had commenced his journey to Lohgarh from Jind district, which once was the capital of Sikh State. The state youth have a lot to learn from the life of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the greatest humanitarian this world has ever seen,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.

The Chief Minister also urged the Prime Minister to include important historic places of Haryana related to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji to the travel list of the devotees who would be a part of Nagar Kirtan to be organized as a part of these celebrations. 

While sharing the story of the supreme sacrifice made by the Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji for Kashmiri Pandits, Sh. Manohar Lal said that the supreme sacrifice of an ancestor from village Badkhalsa, Bhai Kushal would always be remembered. Bhai Kushal Singh offered his head to fool the Mughals so that the head of the Guru Tegh Bahadur ji could be taken to Anandpur Sahib. While remembering the supreme sacrifice of Bhai Kushal ji a memorial has been built at Badhkhalsa Memorial Complex, Rai, district Sonipat, said the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister said that amid of COVID-19 Pandemic, plans are being made to organize digital celebrations.  To preach the message of communal harmony and brotherhood, Haryana Government is paying tributes to the religious Gurus, Saints and Martyrs by organizing public meetings, functions, seminars across the State, said Sh. Manohar Lal.

During the meeting the Committee members shared their valuable suggestions with the Prime Minister regarding their plans for year-long programme to be held for commemorating  400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

Amongst those present included Chief Secretary, Sh. Vijai Vardhan, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. D. S. Dhesi, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. V. Umashankar, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Director General, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Principal Secretary, Foreign Cooperation Department, Sh. Yogender Chaudhry, Deputy Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Smt. Ashima Brar and other senior officers of the State.