Chandigarh, October 17:
The Group of Ministers of the Punjab Government overseeing the events to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji on Friday finalized detailed arrangements for this mega event.
GoM held a meeting at the Tourism office, sector 38, presided over by Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond, Education & IPR Minister Harjot Singh Bains and Advisor (Tourism & Cultural Affairs) Deepak Bali. Representatives from all concerned departments attended it.
The GoM briefed the officers about their respective roles and responsibilities to ensure that the events are organized in a seamless and spiritually uplifting manner across Punjab and at key historical locations.
Harjot Singh Bains emphasized that the entire month of November will be observed on a grand scale to pay homage to the supreme sacrifice of the Ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, and his devoted disciples who stood as eternal symbols of courage, righteousness, and faith. He said that all departments have been instructed to work in close coordination to make the commemorations memorable for the devotees arriving from across India and abroad. “This historic occasion is not just a tribute, but a spiritual responsibility for us to ensure that the sanctity and devotion associated with the 350th Martyrdom Day are reflected in every arrangement,” he added.
The Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond further shared that the city of Sri Anandpur Sahib will be painted white, symbolizing purity and peace, in time for the main events scheduled from November 23 to 25. He said the state government is committed to providing every possible facility for the Sangat from road carpeting and tent city arrangements to clean drinking water, washrooms, medical aid, and efficient traffic management. As many as 29 parking slots have been identified and will be operational during the event, supported by a dedicated shuttle bus service to ferry devotees to and from the holy site. “The Punjab Government, under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the commemorations are organized in complete alignment with religious beliefs and cultural traditions,” he asserted.
Both Ministers elaborated that every department is working with deep commitment and coordination to uphold the spiritual significance of this commemoration. They said that the review meeting was held to assess preparedness and to ensure that all facilities and infrastructural requirements are completed well in time. “The martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Sati Das Ji, and Bhai Dayala Ji represents the highest ideals of sacrifice for faith and humanity. Our collective effort is to make sure that devotees from every corner of the world experience the sanctity and smooth organization of this historic event,” they remarked.
Speaking on the occasion, Advisor (Tourism & Cultural Affairs) Deepak Bali further revealed that Chief Ministers from 28 states across India have been invited to participate in the commemorations, which are envisioned as a reflection of India’s spiritual unity and diversity. He said that Punjab, being the land of the Ninth Guru, holds the honor of leading these historic observances, which will include Kirtan Darbars, Nagar Kirtans, Light and Sound Shows, and interfaith conferences. “We are confident that with the blessings of the Guru and the collective spirit of service, this sacred occasion will be remembered for generations as a symbol of peace, devotion, and oneness,” he concluded.
