Chief Minister attends 9th Vishal Kirtan Samagam on the Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Amar Das ji in Ludhiana
Centre and Haryana Government continuously working for preservation of Sikh heritage and teachings: CM
CM announces grant of Rs 5 Lakh as 'seva' to the gurdwara management
Chandigarh, June 7: Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the life of the Third Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, is a shining beacon for humanity that will continue to guide generations on the path of sacrifice, devotion, service and equality. He said Guru Ji strongly opposed social discrimination, caste divisions and outdated customs, and gave the timeless message of “Pehle Pangat, Pachhe Sangat”, which remains a foundation of social harmony and equality.
The Chief Minister was addressing the gathering at the 9th Vishal Kirtan Samagam organized on the occasion of the sacred Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Amar Das Ji near Amarpura Chowk in Ludhiana.
The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of Guru Amar Das Seva Society, Shri Sukhmani Seva Society and Guru Amar Das Gurudwara & Dharamshala Charitable Trust for organizing the event. He said the organizers had brought society together through the values of unity, service and remembrance of the Divine. He also paid his respects to the saints and ragi jathas whose presence enhanced the dignity of the gathering.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced a grant of ₹5 lakh as a gesture of 'seva' for the Gurdwara management. He also assured the management of full government support for any future developmental works.
He said the soulful kirtan being performed by the ragi jathas on the historic and sacred land of Ludhiana was spiritually uplifting for the devotees.
Highlighting the life and teachings of Guru Amar Das Ji, the Chief Minister said that Guru Ji spent more than 60 years as a humble devotee before ascending to the Guruship. Thereafter, he launched a major movement for social reform. Even Emperor Akbar was asked to sit in the common langar and dine with ordinary people before meeting Guru Ji, sending a revolutionary message against caste discrimination and social divisions.
The Chief Minister said Guru Amar Das Ji made an unparalleled contribution to social reform and women’s empowerment. He strongly opposed the inhuman practice of sati, supported widow remarriage and encouraged women to reject the purdah system.
He said modern society is increasingly chasing material comforts while facing growing mental stress, conflict and jealousy. In such times, the teachings of Guru Amar Das Ji provide the right direction. The sacred verses of Anand Sahib guide humanity towards true happiness and inner peace.
The Chief Minister said that Haryana and Punjab are not merely neighboring states geographically; they are united by a common spiritual heritage, culture and historical legacy. The sacred footprints of the Sikh Gurus are also deeply embedded in the soil of Haryana.
He emphasized that the government’s respect for the Sikh community is reflected not only in words but also in concrete actions. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, unprecedented efforts have been made to preserve and promote India’s religious and cultural heritage. Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, the Government of India has approved the development of the heritage circuit comprising Sri Anandpur Sahib, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Sri Chamkaur Sahib, Ferozepur, Amritsar, Khatkar Kalan, Kalanaur and Patiala.
The Chief Minister said Prime Minister Modi participated in the state-level commemoration of the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at Jyotisar and paid tribute to Guru Sahib ji. The Prime Minister also released commemorative coins, postage stamps and a coffee table book dedicated to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. In 2019, he inaugurated the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor from Dera Baba Nanak. A special air service between Amritsar and Nanded was also launched for pilgrims.
He further said that Prime Minister Modi declared the martyrdom day of Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, as “Veer Bal Diwas”, which is now observed across the country every year on 26 December with great reverence.
The Chief Minister said the Haryana Government has decided to develop a forest in the name of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at Kalesar in Yamunanagar and has also constructed a memorial gate in his memory. Referring to the victims of the 1984 riots, he said the government has provided employment to one member of each of the 121 affected families who lost a family member in the violence. During the Veer Bal Diwas programme in Panchkula, Union Home Minister Amit Shah personally handed over appointment letters to members of these families.
He informed that a Chair on Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji has been established at Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa, to promote research on his life and teachings. He also highlighted that around nine acres of land associated with the historic Gurdwara Chilla Sahib in Sirsa was transferred in the name of the Gurdwara without any cost, and the relevant documents were formally handed over in the presence of the sangat.
The Chief Minister said that the Government Polytechnic College, Ambala has been renamed after Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, while the Tohana–Jind–Dhamtan Sahib Road has been renamed Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Marg. The upcoming medical college in Yamunanagar has also been named after Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. A college in Assandh has been named after Baba Fateh Singh Ji, and a VLDA College has been established at Lakhan Majra in the name of Mata Gujri Ji. A memorial dedicated to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur is also being developed at Lohgarh in Yamunanagar.
Keeping in view the faith and devotion of the Sikh community, the Haryana Government has launched the Swarna Jayanti Guru Darshan Yatra Yojana to provide financial assistance to pilgrims visiting Sri Hazur Sahib, Sri Nankana Sahib, Sri Hemkund Sahib and Sri Patna Sahib. Two special trains have also been operated from Kurukshetra and Sirsa to Hazur Sahib, Nanded.
The Chief Minister said the government remains committed to spreading the teachings and principles of the Sikh Gurus among the masses.
The Chief Minister further assured that he would take up the matter of shifting the poles located near the Gurdwara with the Power Department to facilitate the convenience and safety of devotees.
BJP State Vice-President Dr. Subhash Sharma, BJP leader Gurdeep Singh Neetu and other senior leaders and dignitaries were present on the occasion.
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Jokes Can Run Cinema Halls, Not Governments: CM Nayab Singh Saini
From Dhuri, CM Nayab Singh Saini Calls for Political Change and Double-Engine Government in Punjab
People of Punjab are fed up with AAP's false promises and hollow assurances: CM
Chandigarh, June 7 - Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday called for political change in Punjab while addressing a massive public gathering in Dhuri. He said that the Punjab Chief Minister knows little beyond cracking jokes. “Jokes can run cinema halls, but they cannot run governments,” he remarked, adding that the people of Punjab are now tired of the politics of false promises and hollow assurances and are ready to choose a new path of development, good governance, and transparent administration.
Addressing the large gathering, the Chief Minister said that the enthusiasm of the people of Dhuri clearly indicates a strong wave of change in the state.
The Chief Minister said that Aam Aadmi Party leaders portray themselves as revolutionaries, but in reality they mislead the public about the work and achievements of others in an attempt to hide their own shortcomings. He said that Dhuri is the Chief Minister’s own constituency, yet he has distanced himself not only from Punjab but also from Dhuri. Punjab was once far ahead of many states in terms of development, but political parties pursuing their own interests have pushed it into the category of lagging states. Today, the war against drugs in Punjab is being fought only through newspaper advertisements, while little is being done on the ground.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Punjab’s farmers are the nation’s food providers. These farmers trusted the Aam Aadmi Party and voted for it in 2022, but neither have all crops received the benefit of Minimum Support Price (MSP), nor are farmers being adequately compensated for crop losses. He described this as the biggest betrayal of farmers and said they would respond to it in the coming elections. In contrast, Haryana is the first state in the country where the government procures all farmers’ crops at MSP. Similarly, Haryana is far ahead in compensating farmers for losses caused by natural disasters. He said that after crop damage caused by rains and floods last year, Haryana provided financial assistance worth ₹16,500 crore to farmers. Farmers bringing their produce to mandis receive their J-Forms online immediately, and payment is credited to their accounts within 72 hours.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab had only recently freed itself from Congress, as AAP had made grand promises and painted rosy pictures before the people. Innocent people trusted those promises, and Punjab continues to suffer the consequences. In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party believes not merely in making promises but in implementing them on the ground. Referring to the development initiatives undertaken under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, he said the Central Government has launched several historic schemes for the welfare of the poor, farmers, youth, women, and disadvantaged sections of society, benefiting millions across the country. Modi Ji envisions a developed India, and if the people of Punjab support the BJP, Punjab too can become a developed state.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that through transparent governance and a merit-based system, Haryana has provided employment opportunities to youth without 'parchi kharchi'. Over the past eleven and a half years, lakhs of young people have secured government jobs purely on merit, strengthening public confidence in the system. He also highlighted various schemes aimed at women’s empowerment and welfare initiatives benefiting poor families.
The Chief Minister said Punjab needs a government that not only makes announcements but also has the capacity to implement them effectively. To fulfil the aspirations of farmers, youth, traders, and ordinary citizens, strong leadership and accountable governance are essential. He asserted that only the BJP can bring good governance to Punjab and take the state to new heights in development, investment, employment, and infrastructure. He noted that out of the 217 sankalps made in the BJP’s election manifesto in Haryana, 63 have already been fulfilled within the first year, while work is progressing rapidly on the remaining 153 sankalps.
He said that progressive cities like Dhuri were once centres of economic activity, but the current government's indifferent policies have pushed them behind in the race for development. Many industries in Punjab are on the verge of closure. In contrast, the double-engine government in Haryana has brought positive changes to people’s lives over the past eleven and a half years. Through transparent governance, benefits of welfare schemes have been delivered to every citizen without discrimination.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said Haryana is touching new heights of development in every sector. Comparing welfare measures, he pointed out that in Punjab, elderly citizens from families earning up to ₹80,000 annually receive only ₹1,500 per month as old-age pension, whereas in Haryana, elderly citizens from families earning up to ₹3 lakh annually receive ₹3,200 per month. Similarly, Haryana has provided 1.60 lakh houses to needy families over the past eleven and a half years, while another 10,500 houses have been completed and will soon be handed over to beneficiaries.
The Chief Minister said that under the Deendayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana, women and girls in Haryana are receiving financial assistance of ₹2,100 per month. Poor women are also being provided LPG cylinders for only ₹500 per month. In addition, out of Haryana’s population of 3 crore, around 1.5 crore people are benefiting from free medical treatment of up to ₹5 lakh annually under the Ayushman Bharat and Chirayu schemes. In contrast, he alleged that people visiting Mohalla Clinics in Punjab often find neither medicines nor doctors available.
Appealing to the people to give the BJP an opportunity in the upcoming Assembly elections, he said that the election is not merely about choosing a government, but about securing Punjab’s future, employment opportunities for youth, prosperity for farmers, and the state’s overall development. Every vote, he said, would play an important role in establishing a strong and development-oriented double-engine government in Punjab. He also administered a pledge to those present to provide Punjab with a new political direction centred on good governance, development, and public welfare.
On the occasion, BJP’s newly appointed State President Sardar Kewal Singh Dhillon, State Vice Presidents Subhash Sharma, Randeep Singh Doel, District President Sarjeevan Jindal, Dr. Omkar Singh, Sardar Satwant Singh Poonia, Sukhwinder Grewal, and Nripender Singh, along with a large number of BJP leaders, were present.
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Improved Healthcare Infrastructure Helps Haryana Reduce Infant Mortality by Over 40% in a Decade
Thousands of Young Lives Saved as Haryana Continues to Lower Infant Mortality
Chandigarh, June 7: Haryana has registered notable progress in maternal and child healthcare, with the state's Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) declining from 41 to 24 deaths per 1,000 live births over the past decade, reflecting a reduction of over 40%, according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2024.
A spokesperson of the Health Department said the state has consistently improved child health outcomes through focused policy interventions and expansion of specialized healthcare facilities. The spokesperson said Haryana's IMR has declined from 28 to 24 over the past five years, reflecting a reduction of nearly 14 percent.
The latest figures place Haryana at par with the national average and underscore the positive impact of sustained investments in healthcare infrastructure, newborn care services and maternal health interventions across the state.
The spokesperson added that the state's progress demonstrates the effectiveness of ongoing efforts to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare services. While challenges remain, particularly in certain rural areas, the overall trend points towards continuous improvement in child survival indicators.
According to the SRS 2024 report, Haryana's IMR now stands at 24 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, matching the national average. The spokesperson said that despite having a larger and denser population than neighbouring states such as Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, Haryana has maintained steady progress in reducing infant mortality.
The Health Department stated that the decline in IMR over the last decade represents thousands of young lives saved through better healthcare access, improved institutional deliveries and strengthened newborn care systems.
The state's Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) has also shown significant improvement. The U5MR currently stands at 31, compared to 45 in 2013, indicating sustained gains in child health outcomes.
Over the years, Haryana has significantly strengthened newborn and child healthcare services through the establishment and expansion of Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs), Newborn Stabilization Units (NBSUs), Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs), Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) facilities, Lactation Management Units (LMUs), Comprehensive Lactation Management Centres (CLMCs), Hybrid HDU-ICU units, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram and Home-Based Newborn Care programmes.
To accelerate further improvements, the state government is upgrading existing SNCUs into Maternal and Newborn Care Units (MNCUs) and establishing additional newborn care facilities. Strengthening antenatal care, institutional deliveries, neonatal intensive care services and postnatal support remains a key priority.
The spokesperson said the Health Department is committed to ensuring quality healthcare services for every mother and newborn. Haryana will continue expanding healthcare infrastructure and strengthening community outreach programmes to further reduce infant mortality and improve child survival rates across the state.