Parkash Singh Badal bats for observing 'martyrdom day' of Guru Teg Bahadur

ANANDPUR SAHIB: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today pitched for observing the "martyrdom day" of Guru Teg Bahadur at the national level saying it would help in promoting the ethos of "secularism" and "socialism" in the country.

Addressing a gathering on the inaugural day of celebrations to mark 350th foundation day of Anandpur Sahib here, Badal said that the ninth guru who founded this holy town was an epitome of socialism and secularism as he sacrificed his life for the sake of preserving human rights in the country.

"Observation of the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur would not only be a humble tribute to the great Sikh Guru, it would further cement the ties between people on the other," the CM said adding that "the life and philosophy of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur is a lighthouse for all us".

Terming the foundation stone of Anandpur Sahib as a "revolutionary step in the annals of Indian history", the Chief Minister said that the foundation of socialism and secularism was laid on this sacred land by the great Sikh gurus.

The main function of the three-day foundation day would be held on June 19 when dignitaries from across the world and religions are expected to participate in it.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP national president Amit Shah are among the dignitaries.

Listing the initiatives taken by the state government to perpetuate the glorious legacy of the state, the Chief Minister said that that the state government has spend nearly Rs 1000 crore for perpetuating the rich legacy of state by creating a network of several magnificent memorials Virasat-e- Khalsa, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial, Chotta Ghallugara and Vadda Ghalugarra memorials.

Besides, state of the art memorials like Jang-e-Azaadi, War Heroes Memorial cum museum, Baba Jiwan Singh Memorial, Sri Guru Ravidass memorial and others were in pipeline.

Badal also said that the sole aim of constructing these memorials was to keep our younger generations abreast with the glorious and rich cultural and historic legacy of the state.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Rajya Sabha MPs Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Lok Sabha MP Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, Cabinet Minister Daljeet Singh Cheema among others.