Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann will head a Group of Ministers (GoM) tasked with overseeing the grand commemoration of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
The decision was made during a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister at his official residence on Wednesday.
During the meeting, CM Bhagwant emphasized that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji made the ultimate sacrifice to uphold the right to religious freedom and safeguard human and secular values. He called the Guru’s martyrdom unparalleled in world history, symbolizing a courageous stand against tyranny and injustice.
CM Bhagwant stated that the Punjab government is committed to organizing a statewide series of events to honor the legacy of the great Guru. These functions will be held across various locations linked to Guru Sahib’s life, ensuring their comprehensive development. The GoM, chaired by CM Mann and including Ministers from Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Public Works, Higher Education, and Information and Public Relations, will supervise all arrangements.
In addition, an Executive Committee led by the Chief Secretary will oversee daily planning and execution. Departments like Sports, Education, Tourism, and IPR will organize seminars, conferences, Kirtan Darbars, light and sound shows, and publish commemorative literature to highlight Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s legacy as a global champion of human rights.
CM Bhagwant also revealed that major infrastructure upgrades will be undertaken at 63 historic sites associated with the Guru, located across districts such as Roopnagar, Mansa, Bathinda, Patiala, Jalandhar, Sangrur, SBS Nagar, Tarn Taran, Fatehgarh Sahib, Barnala, Muktsar Sahib, Amritsar, and Mohali.
He added that the state has requested the central government to support projects like a convention centre in Mohali, a medical college and hospital in Sri Anandpur Sahib, and a degree college in Baba Bakala, Amritsar, named after the Guru, along with the issuance of a commemorative postal stamp.
Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond and other officials were also present at the meeting.