Chandigarh July 7: Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini, while paying rich tributes to Baba Lakhi Shah Vanjara, announced that the state government will beautify Baba Lakhi Shah Bawdi located in Ishargarh village of district Kurukshetra. In addition, a community center will be constructed in his name in the village, and a statue of Baba Lakhi Shah will be installed. For this, he announced to give Rs 31 lakh and Rs 11 lakh each on behalf of Cabinet Minister Sh Krishan Lal Panwar and Kumari Aarti Singh Rao. He also announced that, with the consent of the community, one chowk (roundabout) and one road in the state will be named after Baba Lakhi Shah Vanjara. Additionally, a community center will be constructed in his name.
Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini made these announcements while addressing the state-level function organized at his residence Sant Kabir Kutir here today on the occasion of Baba Lakhi Shah Vanjara Jayanti. On this occasion, the Chief Minister paid floral tribute to the portrait of Baba Lakhi Shah Vanjara and offered his respects. He assured that he will never let the honour and respect given to him by the Vanjara community by making him wear the turban diminish and will always work to increase this honour.
Baba Lakhi Shah Vanjara: A unique example of devotion and courage
While extending heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the people of the state on the occasion of Baba Lakhi Shah Vanjara Jayanti, the Chief Minister said that Baba Lakhi Shah Vanjara was a great sacrificer, a true devotee, and a brave warrior who etched an immortal saga in history through his sacrifice. He stated that when we speak of India’s rich culture, diversity, and tradition of sacrifice, the memory of many great heroes comes to mind – those who gave everything to protect the nation and religion. Baba Lakhi Shah Vanjara was one such hero. He was a devoted Sikh who set an extraordinary example of Guru Bhakti and courage, one that will be remembered for generations.
The Vanjara community, a resilient, hardworking, and dignified community
The Chief Minister said that the sacrifices of Baba Lakhi Shah Vanjara are written in golden letters in Sikh history. He bravely fought against the Mughals and made extraordinary sacrifices to protect the religion. This is believed to be the first recorded incident in Indian history where more than 112 members of a single family were martyred. He added that the Vanjara community is a resilient, hardworking, and self-respecting community that has not only contributed significantly to the country’s economy through trade and commerce but has also played a vital role in national defense.
Government actively spreading the message of saints and great personalities to the people
Sh Nayab Singh Saini stated that great men do not belong to any one religion or caste, they belong to all of humanity. It is our collective responsibility to preserve and honor their legacy. In this spirit, the government is working to spread the teachings and messages of saints and great personalities through the Sant-Mahapurush Vichar Samman and Prasar Yojana. He added that, to uphold the ideals of equality promoted by these great figures, the government has introduced several welfare schemes aimed at improving the standard of living for the poorest sections of society. The Vanjara community is also benefiting from these initiatives.
The government has worked to bring homeless nomadic castes into the mainstream of society
He said that the government is committed to uplifting the most marginalized and deprived sections of society. As part of this effort, Parivar Pehchan Patra has been issued to families from nomadic castes to help bring them into the mainstream. Through these Parivar Pehchan Patras, they are now receiving the full benefits of various government schemes and services. He said that the government has worked to bring the nomadic castes, which were homeless for decades, into the mainstream of society by settling them in one place. He further mentioned that plots have been allotted to poor nomadic families who applied in cities like Karnal, Palwal, and Rohtak. Additionally, under the ‘Mukhyamantri Shahri Awas Yojana’, the process of allotting plots to poor urban families has begun. In the first phase of this scheme, land has been identified in 14 towns and cities, and allotment letters have been issued to 15,256 poor families.
The Chief Minister also stated that under the ‘Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Yojana’, 4,532 people who had not received possession of their 100-square-yard plots have now been given ownership rights and financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh each. Furthermore, under the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Awas Navinikaran Yojna, financial aid of Rs 80,000 is being provided to BPL families from Scheduled Castes for home repairs. A total of Rs 416 crore has been distributed to 76,985 beneficiaries under this scheme.
13 lakh LPG connections provided to women from poor families under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
Sh Nayab Singh Saini stated that the PM Surya Ghar Yojana has been launched in the state with the aim of freeing 2 lakh poor families from electricity bills by the year 2027. So far, free solar panels have been installed in the homes of over 18,000 beneficiaries. In addition, under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, 13 lakh LPG connections have been provided to women from economically weaker families. Under the Har Ghar-Har Grihini Yojana, 17.51 lakh families are receiving gas cylinders at a subsidized rate of Rs 500 every month. He further said that under the Ayushman Bharat–Chirayu Yojana, poor families are receiving free medical treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh. So far, more than 20 lakh individuals have benefited, with free treatment worth Rs 2,745 crore provided. Moreover, under the Mukhyamantri Vivaah Shagun Yojana, financial assistance of up to Rs 71,000 is given as shagun for the marriage of daughters from poor families.
Need to embrace the teachings of Baba Lakhi Shah Vanjara in our lives
Sh Nayab Singh Saini stated that Baba Lakhi Shah Vanjara taught us an important lesson that history is shaped not only by the sword but also through selfless acts of sacrifice, courage, and service to society. He emphasized that as we work towards building a Developed India–Developed Haryana under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, it is essential for all of us to incorporate the teachings and values of great personalities like Baba Lakhi Shah Vanjara into our lives.
Earlier, Development and Panchayats Minister Sh Krishan Lal Panwar remarked that the Vanjara community is known for its hard work and bravery, and through these qualities, it has created a unique identity. He added that the state government, following the principle of Antyodaya, has launched several public welfare schemes aimed at uplifting the poor, ensuring that every eligible individual directly benefits from these initiatives.
On this occasion, Health and Family Welfare Minister Kumari Aarti Singh Rao, BJP State President Sh Mohan Lal Badoli, State In-Charge Sh Satish Punia, General Secretary (Org.) Sh Phanindra Nath Sharma, OSD to the Chief Minister Sh Bharat Bhushan Bharti, President, Vanjara Samaj Sh Jasmer Vanjara, Subedar Major Kishori Lal, and several other distinguished guests were present.
