Bhagwant Mann leads Punjab in commemorating Guru Teg Bahadur's 350th martyrdom

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann will lead Group of Ministers (GOM) to oversee the smooth conduct of events to commemorate 350th martyrdom day of ninth Guru Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji in a befitting manner.

A decision to this regard was held in a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister at the official residence on Wednesday.

Chairing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji laid down his life to protect the right of freedom to worship and preserve human and secular values.

He said that Guru ji’s supreme sacrifice was unique and unparalleled in the history of mankind and symbolized the crusade against tyranny and oppression. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the ninth guru of Sikhs sacrificed his life for the sake of preserving human rights in the country.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is duty bound to organise series of events to observe the 350th martyrdom day of ninth Sikh Guru Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji on a massive level. He said that a series of functions will be organised across the state and comprehensive development of places having the footsteps of the Guru Sahib will be ensured.

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a GoM under his chairmanship with Ministers of Tourism and Cultural Affairs,Public Works Department, Information and Public Relations Department and Department of Higher Education as its Members will oversee all the arrangements for these events.

The Chief Minister said that apart from this an Executive Committee (headed by the Chief Secretary) will monitor the commemorative events on daily basis. He said that department of Sports, Higher Education, Tourism and culture, Information and Public Relations along with others will zealously organise seminars, conferences, kirtan Darbars, light and sound shows, publish books and other to commemorate the event.

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that all out efforts will be made to perpetuate the glorious legacy of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji- who was the first proponent of human rights across the globe.

The Chief Minister further said that major push will be given to infrastructure development at 63 places having footprints of Guru Sahib in districts including Roopnagar, Mansa, Bathinda, Patiala, Jalandhar, Sangrur, SBS Nagar, Tarn Taran, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Barnala, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Amritsar, SAS Nagar and others.

He said that the state government will spruce up these sacred places of immense historical importance. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that apart from this the state government has already urged the Government of India to Construct a Convention Centre at Mohali, Establish Medical College and Hospital at Sri Anandpur Sahi, Establish a Degree College at Baba Bakala, Amritsar on the name of Guru Sahib besides releasing a Commemorative postal stamp on Guru Teg Bahadur ji.

On the occasion Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond and others were also present.