The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday embarked the series of events to mark the 350th ‘Shaheedi Diwas’ (martyrdom) day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji after senior Cabinet Ministers performed Ardas here at Gurudwara Sisganj Sahib.
The Cabinet Ministers including Aman Arora, Harjot Singh Bains, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Barinder Kumar Goyal, Hardeep Singh Mundian and Dr Balbir Singh, Lok Sabha MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal, Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney, MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Advisor Tourism and Cultural Affairs Deepak Bali and others joined the people in offering ‘Ardas’ to start the events for commemorating the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of ‘Hind Di Chadar’. The Ministers along with other officials and sangat came to Gurudwara Sisganj sahib barefoot from Red Fort to offer their obeisances. They also paid tribute at the sacred martyrdom sites of Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Sati Das Ji, and Bhai Dayala Ji, who made unparalleled sacrifices in devotion to the Guru.
The Ministers exhorted the people to follow Guru Ji’s universal message of love, secularism, religious tolerance, freedom of faith and peaceful co-existence. Terming it an occasion to spread the message of Guru Sahib’s supreme sacrifice for the sake of humanity and religious freedom, they said the life and philosophy of the ninth Guru sahib remains a beacon of inspiration for the world. They further said that the state Government had made elaborate arrangements to commemorate this mega event in a befitting manner.
The Ministers said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib made the supreme sacrifice to protect the religious rights of humanity to set an example for the world. They exhorted the people to follow the path of righteousness in the true tradition of humanity, as propagated by Guru Sahib. They said that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji laid down his life in Delhi to protect human rights and religious freedom, a sacrifice unmatched in world history.
The Ministers said that Ninth Sikh Guru was a true symbol of secularism, unity, and universal brotherhood, adding that Guru Sahib’s life and philosophy continue to serve as a beacon of light for all humanity. They said that a series of events, beginning from today, will conclude on November 25 at Sri Anandpur Sahib. They said that from November 1 to 18, Light and Sound Shows will be held in all districts of Punjab, depicting the great life and teachings of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
The Ministers said that Kirtan darbars will also be organized in towns and cities blessed by the Guru’s presence adding that the core objective of these events is to educate people about the Guru’s philosophy, his life of sacrifice, and the eternal message of peace and humanity that continues to inspire millions across the globe. They said that on November 18, a Kirtan Darbar will be organized at Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir) and next day, November 19, a Nagar Kirtan will commence from Srinagar, in which Kashmiri Pandits will also join the congregation. They said that this Nagar Kirtan will reach Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22.
The Ministers said that Simultaneously, on November 20, three Nagar Kirtans will start from Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo), Faridkot, and Gurdaspur, and all will culminate together at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22. They said that marking this historic occasion, the Punjab Government will organize major events at Sri Anandpur Sahib from November 23 to 25. They said that a special Tent City named “Chakk Nanaki” will be established for the accommodation of thousands of devotees arriving for the commemoration.
The Ministers further said that a Sarv-Dharm Sammelan (Interfaith Conference) will also be held, symbolizing the Guru’s message of harmony and universal faith. They said that the sacred city will further host a special exhibition and a drone show highlighting the life and teachings of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. They informed that on November 24, a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha will be convened at Sri Anandpur Sahib, dedicated to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s martyrdom, where eminent personalities will share their thoughts on Guru sahib’s philosophy, their supreme sacrifice for human rights, and the preservation of religious freedom.
The Cabinet Ministers said that on November 25, statewide blood donation camps will be held, alongside a large-scale plantation drive by the Forest Department under the theme “Sarbat da Bhala Ikkatarta” (Unity for the Welfare of All). It was further informed that for this sacred 350th martyrdom commemoration, spiritual leaders and saints from across the globe have been consulted and have extended their blessings and valuable suggestions. They said that under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government feels truly privileged to have been entrusted with the honor of organizing these historic commemorations during its tenure. They appealed to devotees and Sikh Sangat across India and abroad to participate wholeheartedly in these events.
