AAP launches year-long Guru Ravidas celebrations in Punjab, allocates Rs 80 crore
Punjab cabinet minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Tuesday said the state government is marking the 650th Parkash Purab of Guru Ravidas with a year-long programme
Punjab cabinet minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Tuesday said the state government is marking the 650th Parkash Purab of Guru Ravidas with a year-long programme centred on the saint’s life, philosophy and message of equality. He said Rs 80 crore has already been earmarked for the celebrations, and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has assured additional funds if needed. Sond, the tourism and cultural affairs minister, said the celebrations will be held in phases through the year and are aimed at taking the teachings of Guru Ravidas to people across Punjab and the wider global community. He said the programme includes religious, educational and environmental initiatives designed to involve people from all sections of society.
Read Full Story As part of the outreach, a 30-minute documentary is being screened in more than 13,000 villages, and school-level competitions based on the life and teachings of Guru Ravidas are being held. Seminars and workshops on his life, philosophy and legacy will be organised at leading universities across the state from July to November. Special Kirtan Samagams will be held in different districts, while drone shows on the Guru’s life and teachings will be organised in Assembly constituencies between August and November. The government will also set up 650 Guru Ravidas Bagichis across Punjab, carry out a plantation drive of 6.50 lakh saplings, hold a Run for Equality marathon at all district headquarters in August and organise cycle rallies at all district headquarters in September.
In October, 6.50 lakh commemorative flags will be distributed across the state. Highlighting the religious programmes, Sond said four Shobha Yatras will culminate at Khuralgarh after starting from Varanasi, Faridkot, Bathinda and Jammu between October 5 and 8. He said the celebrations will conclude with a three-day state-level function at Khuralgarh from October 9 to 11. On October 9, the programme will include an exhibition on the life of Guru Ravidas, Katha and Kirtan Darbar, a Sant Samelan and a conference on the Guru’s Bani. On October 10, devotees will attend Katha and Kirtan Darbar, a conference on the Bani of Guru Ravidas, a 3D projection at Minar-e-Begumpura and a drone show.
On October 11, the concluding events will include Katha and Kirtan Darbar, Begumpura Samagam, another 3D projection at Minar-e-Begumpura and a grand drone show. Calling these events the centrepieces of the celebrations, Sond said the government is trying to ensure that the younger generation connects with the egalitarian ideals and spiritual teachings of Guru Ravidas through modern technology and meaningful public participation. He reiterated that the Punjab government is committed to organising the celebrations with devotion and grandeur so that Guru Ravidas’s message of equality, social harmony, fraternity and human dignity reaches every household. Ends
The BriefWire