IEP Patiala, April 14
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday paid obeisance at Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib on the sacred occasion of the festival of Baisakhi and prayed for the peace, progress and prosperity of the state. The Chief Minister felicitated the Punjabis across the globe on the sacred occasion of Baisakhi that symbolizes the spirit of Punjab, Punjabi and unity in diversity. Reminding the people about the rich glorious and cultural heritage of the day, he said that on this sacred day in 1699, Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji – the Tenth Master of the Sikhs had created ‘Khalsa Panth’ at the holy city of Sri Anandpur Sahib by baptizing ‘Panj Pyaras (beloved ones) belonging to different regions and religions. Bhagwant Mann said that Dashmesh Pitaah thereby carved out a casteless society and preached the gospels of love and compassion for mankind, universal brotherhood and communal harmony. The Chief Minister further said that this festival marks the beginning of the harvest season and ripening of Rabi crops. He said that on this festival the farmers of the state gather the fruits of toil and rejoice over their prosperous future. However, Bhagwant Mann bemoaned that this year the situation is different as farmers have suffered huge losses of crop due to the incessant rains. The Chief Minister reiterated the firm commitment of the state government to bail out the farmers from this situation and said that the state government is solidly behind the beleaguered peasants and farm labourers in this hour of crisis. He said that the state government has already started the process for disbursing compensation to the farmers for this huge loss. Bhagwant Mann said that a transparent process has been adopted for Girdawari to ascertain the loss to compensate the farmers. Exhorting the people to celebrate this joyous festival in unison with traditional gaiety and fervor, the Chief Minister said that it will help in strengthening the secular and social fabric of our country. Bhagwant Mann said that in unison with the teachings of the great Sikh Gurus the Punjab government is making strenuous efforts for progress of the state and prosperity of its people. He said that Punjab is today one of the most peaceful states in the country due to which big industrial tycoons of the country are making a beeline to invest in the state adding he urged the people to beware of the misleading propaganda being made by some elements to disturb hard earned peace of the state. On the occasion, Cabinet Ministers Chetan Singh Jauramajra and Balbir Singh along with others were also present.
