Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, former Union Minister and NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar and other dignitaries releasing a book on Bhagat Namdev at a state level function to mark 88th Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Sahitya Sammellan in village Ghuman.
Ghuman (Gurdaspur), April 3, 2015: In order to perpetuate the rich legacy of Bhagat Namdev Ji in every nook and corner of the world, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced to establish a chair in the name of legendary exponent of Bhakti movement at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.
Addressing the gathering during the state level to mark the 88th Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Sahitya Sammellan here today, the Chief Minister said that the upcoming chair would be instrumental in disseminating the teachings and philosophy of Bhagat Namdev and urged the Executive members of the organising committee to give full support and cooperation to enable the Chair for undertaking research in a meaningful manner.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also announced to set up Baba Namdev Ji Government Degree College over an area of 10 acre at a cost of Rs 18 crore to impart quality education in science and arts to the students of this border belt of the state. He also announced to upgrade the Government High school for Girls as 10 plus two. Badal also announced to provide 100% potable water supply and sewerage facility to the residents of this village, so that this historic village could be showcased as one of the most modern and advanced village in the country. He extended an invitation to the organising committee to commemorate this function every year at this village in the memory of Bhagat Namdev.
Recalling the age old spiritual ties between the people of Punjab and Maharashtra which was evident from the fact that Bhagat Namdev spent over two decades of his life here, the Chief Minister said that today’s mega event was a glorious tribute to the legendary icon of Bhakti Movement, which would further cement the bonds of peace, amity, unity and brotherhood amongst the fellow countrymen to inculcate a sense of religious tolerance, love and amity. He said that the 88th Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Sahitya Sammellan dedicated to Bhagat Namdev would offer a healthy platform to the academicians, litterateurs, scholars, historians besides the organizers and participants to disseminate the message of Bhagat Namdev Ji whose 61 shabads have been included in the holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib - the mankind’s common spiritual treasure. Badal said that he was highly impressed by this function and was seriously contemplating to organise such sammellan for the promotion of Punjabi art and literature.
The Chief Minister further said that Punjab had the distinction of being the sword arm and the granary of the country safeguarding the borders of the country from the external aggression as well as internal disturbances besides making our country self reliant in food production. He further said that Punjab was also the cradle of Indian civilisation as the holy Vedas were written here. Likewise, Badal said that even the holy Ramayana- the masterpiece literary epic by Bhagwan Valmiki Maharaj was also composed at Valmiki Ashram, Ram Tirath near Amritsar. Mata Sita also gave birth to two sons of Lord Rama, Luv and Kush here on this sacred land. Even the Lord Krishna also delivered the sermon of Geeta at this blessed place.
Reverberating the emotional ties between Punjab and Maharashtra since the time immemorial were the part of golden pages of Indian history, the Chief Minister said that tenth guru of Sikhs Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji breathed his last at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib (Nanded) in Maharashtra.
Expressing gratitude to the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and former Union Minister Sharad Pawar for showing special concern for the overall development of the state, the Chief Minister said that he was really indebted to Gadkari for declaring the Guru Gobind Singh Marg from Sri Anandpur Sahib to Nanded via Talwandi Sabo as National Highways project besides sanctioning the four laning of numerous state roads and national highways within Punjab. Likewise, he also thanked Pawar for having allotted the world’s prestigious Borlaug Institute of Maize Research in Ludhiana during his stint as Union Agriculture Minister.
Speaking on the occasion, the former Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar lauded the personal initiative of the Chief Minister for holding this state level function which would go a long way in fostering the ties of goodwill and friendship amongst the people of Punjab and Maharashtra. He highly appreciated the role of Sikhs in the defending the country from the foreign invasion besides the enormous contribution of Punjabi farmers in making India food surplus from food deficit nation.
In his address Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said that Bhagat Namdev’s enormous contribution towards redeeming the mankind from the social maladies and agonies suffered by them due to worldly possessions were worth mentioning. He extended an open invitation to Punjab government to hold such mega event for the promotion of Punjabi language, literature and Art at Nagpur. Gadkari said that Bhagat Namdev’s life and work was not merely restricted to a specific region rather his philosophy was all pervasive, which proved to be a beacon to guide the destiny of the humanity. On the occasion he announced to construct a 157 kilometre long four laned cemented road from Amritsar to Una in Himachal Pradesh via Mehta, Ghuman, Tanda and Hoshiarpur at a cost of Rs 1800 crore under National Highways Project.
On the occasion the President of 88th Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Sahitya Sammellan Sadanand More thanked all the dignitaries and said unlike socio-cultural affinity between Punjab and Maharashtra emphasized that the people of both the states have a semblance of spirituality and valor in their character.
Prominent amongst other who were present on the occasion included Union Minster for state Vijay Sampla, Cabinet Minister Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Des Raj Dhugga.
On the occasion, Gadkari and Pawar in the presence of Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of Bhagat Namdev Government Degree College and released the souvenir on the life and philosophy of Bhagat Namdev.