Special seminar held at Sant Baba Bhag Singh University on the topic ‘The Bani of Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji and Social Equality’
Jalandhar (PEN News): As part of the series of events being organized by the Punjab Government dedicated to the 650th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji, a special seminar on the topic ‘The Bani of Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji and Social Equality’ was organized today at Sant Baba Bhag Singh University.
Punjab Cabinet Minister for Prisons, NRI Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Ravjot Singh, who attended the event as the chief guest, said that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government will celebrate the 650th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji in an unprecedented manner, for which a budget of Rs. 100 crore has been allocated. He said that bagichis (nurseries) in the name of Guru Ji are being established across Punjab on 650 acres of land. In addition, a major plantation drive is also being carried out, under which 6.50 lakh saplings are being planted in every district.
On this occasion, Chancellor Sant Manmohan Singh Ji, Sant Sarwan Singh Ji, Sant Nirmal Das Ji, Sant Pradeep Das Ji, Behan Santosh Kumari, University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Palwinder Singh and Chairman of the Punjab State Cooperative Agricultural Development Bank, Shri Pawan Tinu, were specially present.
In his address, Dr. Ravjot Singh stated that the Punjab Government is constructing the Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Bani Adhiyyan Centre near Dera Sachkhand Ballan at Naugaza/Faridpura on 10.4 acres of land at a cost of Rs. 37 crore. In addition, as part of the events marking the 650th Prakash Purab, the state government is organizing seminars in educational institutions to familiarize the younger generation with Guru Ji’s life, philosophy and teachings. Kirtan Darbars are also being organized at various places. He said that through special mobile vans, a documentary based on Guru Ji’s life and teachings is also being screened in 13,000 villages across the state.
The Cabinet Minister said that as part of the 650th Prakash Purab celebrations of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji, the Punjab Government will organize 92 drone shows covering several assembly constituencies of Punjab, which will be a major attraction of the celebrations. He said that four major Shobha Yatras will also be taken out, including Shobha Yatras from Varanasi to Khuralgarh Sahib, Faridkot to Khuralgarh Sahib, Bathinda to Khuralgarh Sahib and Jammu to Khuralgarh Sahib. He said that before concluding at Khuralgarh Sahib, these Shobha Yatras will ensure the maximum dissemination of the message and teachings of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji in different parts of the state. He informed that a three-day state-level event will also be organized at Khuralgarh Sahib as part of the celebrations.
While inspiring the students, Sant Nirmal Das Ji said that during difficult times, ‘education’ is a person’s greatest companion. Concentration and hard work in studies are very important. He appealed to the children to give up evils and embrace only virtues and knowledge. He said that the Bani of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji teaches social equality, and the initiatives being undertaken by the Punjab Government to take the teachings of Guru Sahib to every household are commendable.
Sant Pradeep Das Ji said that only when education reaches society will we progress spiritually and socially. Behan Santosh Kumari, linking the concept of ‘Begampura’ envisioned by Guru Ravidas Ji with the Indian Constitution, said that Guru Sahib gave the message of eliminating social discrimination and distinctions between high and low.
Earlier, University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Palwinder Singh Ji warmly welcomed the guests. The keynote speaker of the event, Prof. Harbans Singh Bholina, shared his views on the life of Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji during his address. At the conclusion of the event, University Registrar Rajinder Kumar delivered the vote of thanks.
On this occasion, SDM Lal Vishwas Bains, saints and religious dignitaries, prominent political personalities, university management, teachers and thousands of students were present.
