On 400th Prakash Purab of Guru Tegh Bahadur, Punjab chief minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday urged Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi to clear the state government’s proposal for launching various projects worth ₹937 crore, including the development of Sri Anandpur Sahib as Smart City, to pay befitting tributes to the 9th Guru.
Participating virtually in the high-level national committee meeting, convened by the PM to finalise plans for celebration of the 400th Prakash Purab, the CM said, “We are all fortunate to celebrate this great event in our lifetimes and I urge Modi ji to ensure that this historic event is commemorated not only at national but at a global level.”
He said Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, also known as Hind Di Chadar, stands as a shining symbol of our country’s great pluralistic tradition and secularism, and his supreme sacrifice – ‘sis diya par sirr na diya’ – forms an important part of India’s history.
Briefing the PM on the memorandum sent to the centre in this regard, Captain Amarinder said his government plans to duly recognise the towns and villages associated with the life of Guru Sahib in the state by upgrading their infrastructure. Besides the city of Amritsar, the town of Sri Anandpur Sahib and Baba Bakala are significant in this regard, he said. In addition, he said that there are 78 villages in the state graced by the Guru (charan chho prapt).
Captain Amarinder said the proposal sent by the state government includes projects for development of infrastructure in and around Sri Anandpur Sahib, Amritsar and Baba Bakala; rejuvenation of village ponds and traditional water bodies for Water Conservation in 78 Punjab villages that were visited by the Guru; and setting up Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur School of Textile Technology and Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Institute of Handicrafts at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and Sathiala, Baba Bakala, respectively.
The Chief Minister further requested the Prime Minister that the Union Government should release a special commemorative stamp on this occasion. He suggested that the commemorative events should be held all across the country, as well as at all Indian missions abroad, in order to carry the powerful message of Guru’s life.
