Chandigarh, April 6: As part of the ongoing countrywide celebrations to commemorate the 400th Parkash Purab of Hind-Di-Chaddar Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal today launched a devotional song composed by the Department of Information and Public Relations for a state-level function scheduled to be organized by the State Government on April 24 at Panipat. Besides this, creative in both Hindi and Punjabi languages designed by the Department of Information and Public Relations were also launched by the Chief Minister.
Addressing a press conference here today, the Chief Minister said that since March 2021, as part of the celebrations of the 400th Prakash Purab of Hind Di Chadar Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji various religious and cultural programmes have already been started in some parts of the country. However, due to the Pandemic, most of the programmes in Haryana got postponed but now the State Government has decided to organize a state-level function on April 24, 2022, he added.
Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, Sh. Sandeep Singh and MP, Karnal Sh. Sanjay Bhatia also remained present on this occasion.
“Adequate arrangements are being made for the said celebrations. Event Management Committee has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, Sh. Sandeep Singh for smooth organization of this state-level programme,” shared the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister said that the teachings of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji are not only a rare heritage for us but are also one of the most significant foundations to build a strong, morally enlightened society.
State-level function to be held in Panipat on April 24, Manohar Lal
The Chief Minister further shared that on April 24, 2022, a state-level function will be held in Panipat, to mark the celebrations of the 400th Prakash Purab of Hind Di Chadar Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
“In this one day programme devotees from across Haryana and Punjab and other states like Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are expected to participate in large numbers. The function aims to spread the message of communal harmony and brotherhood as preached by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji,” added Sh. Manohar Lal.
Haryana shares a special bond not only with Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji but with all the ten Sikh Gurus
The Chief Minister said that Haryana shares a special bond not only with Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji but with all the ten Sikh Gurus as most of them have travelled to almost every corner of the State. The state youth have a lot to learn from the life of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, the greatest humanitarian world has ever seen, he added.
“Acknowledging the same, the State Government from time to time has been paying tributes to the religious Gurus, Saints and Martyrs by organizing public meetings, state-level functions, seminars across Haryana,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.
The Chief Minister informed that in the year 2017, the State Government had organized several religious and cultural programmes to commemorate the 350th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji which had begun from Karnal and concluded in Yamunanagar. Later, in the year 2019, celebrations of the 550th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji were also organized in Sirsa.
“Today it becomes our utmost duty to inculcate the teachings, ideologies and philosophy of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and other religious Gurus and Sants in the society, especially among youth so that they can get inspiration from their lives. Along with the Government social and religious institutions also play a pivotal role in culturally shaping the society,” added Sh. Manohar Lal.
Sacrifices made by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji crowned him with the sobriquet of ‘Hind Di Chadar
The Chief Minister said that it is because of the supreme sacrifices of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji that he has been rightly crowned with the sobriquet of ‘Hind Di Chadar’ by the entire humanity.
Sh. Manohar Lal said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji not only protected the Hindus from forced conversions but he also greatly helped the Kashmiri Pandits, who were living under life-threatening pressure from Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
“History tells that how a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits went to meet Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji to save them from forced conversion. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji had asked the Pandits to tell Aurangzeb and his army that they are ready for conversion provided their Guru does so. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur was then made captive and was tortured for conversion but to save Hindus, he sacrificed his life, added Sh. Manohar Lal.
Renowned Raggi and Katha Vachak to attend the Programme
The Chief Minister shared that special invitations have been sent to renowned Ragi and Katha Vachak of international level to attend state-level programme.
He urged devotees from each corner of Haryana to reach out and ensure their participation in this state-level programme.
Previous government never thought of organizing such religious programmes
Speaking on the occasion, Sh. Sanjay Bhatia, who is also the Convener of the Event Management Committee thanked Chief Minister for giving him the golden opportunity to witness this historic state-level function at Panipat, which is his birthplace.
"No previous government had ever thought of organizing such religious and cultural programmes highlighting the spiritual teachings and philosophies of these great Gurus and Saints, this is happening only during the tenure of the Manohar Lal led government," said Sh. Sanjay Bhatia.
Organizing state-level function is a historic decision
While praising the Manohar Lal led Government, Sh. Sandeep Singh said that it is admirable that Haryana would be hosting such a big religious programme.
Sh. Sandeep Singh also thanked Chief Minister for reaching out to the entire Sikh Community and devotees from across the country to ensure their participation in this programme.
"It is commendable that as part of the Amrit Mahotsav, the State Government is organizing state-level function to commemorate the 400th Prakash Purab celebrations of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Besides this, a historic decision has been taken by the Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi to observe December 26 as ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ to mark the martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji", said Sh. Sandeep Singh.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister also lauded the efforts of the department for designing the creatives and composing the religious song.
Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Director General, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Vice President, Haryana Punjabi Sahitya Academy, Sh. Gurvinder Singh also remained present on this occasion.