CHANDIGARH: “The Punjab Government would pull out all stops to ensure that the 550th Prakash Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji is celebrated with full religious zest and vigour and the celebrations turn into memorable ones.” This was disclosed here today by the Cooperation and Jails Minister S. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa while presiding over a meeting of the various departments in connection with the celebrations besides reviewing the development projects going on at Dera Baba Nanak.
The minister said that the cooperation of all the departments such as the Cooperation, Local Government, Rural Development, Health and Family Welfare, and Tourism and Cultural Affairs is necessary for making celebrations memorable for all times to come. The minister also said that these celebrations hold immense religious and sentimental value for the entire ‘Nanak Naam Leva Sangat’, hence the preparations and the development projects must be executed on time and also no laxity would be tolerated in this regard.
S. Randhawa on the occasion took stock of the various aspects connected with the beautification of the historic town of Dera Baba Nanak as well as for the facilitation of the large number of expected tourists, such as Widening, Strengthening and Repairing of approach roads, Installation of LED lights with timer and underground wire, Construction of OOAT Clinics, Toilet blocks, Renovation of hospital buildings, Setting up of tented city, Storm Sewer System and Chlorination system at Dera Baba Nanak, LED street lights, Solid Waste Management, Upgradation of bus stands, Development of adjoining villages, Heritage LED lights in parks, Sweeping machines, Construction of Food Street and Heritage Street. The minister expressed hope that these projects would be instrumental in making Dera Baba Nanak a hub of infrastructural development.
The minister also elaborated that various events such as Shabad Sangeet Samvaad, Kavi Durbar, Short Film Festival and Theatre Festival, Guru Nanak Kala Festival and Guru Nanak Bagichi (As part of the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Project) would also add to the religious and spiritual fervor of the celebrations.
On the occasion, Mr. Davinder Singh from Punjab Digital Library was asked to compile a folder on the life and times of Guru Sahib.
Among others present on the occasion included Principal Secretary Local Government Mr. A. Venu Prasad, Registrar Cooperative Societies Mr. Vikas Garg, MD Markfed Mr. Varun Roojam, Director Local Government Mr. Karnesh Sharma, CEO PEDA Mr. Navjot Pal Singh Randhawa, and Eminent Sikh Scholar Mr. Amarjit Singh Grewal.
She added that tobacco users have been availed the services of Tobacco Cessation centers. Free Tobacco cessation counseling and medicines like Bupropion, Nicotine gums and patches are being provided in these centers to the patients who want to quit Tobacco use.
Dr. Avneet Kaur Director, Health & Family Welfare Department said that Punjab Government is collaborating TB programme along with Tobacco control Programme for addressing TB and tobacco use co-morbidity on pilot basis in some districts. The Cross referral mechanism has also been developed between the TB clinics and Tobacco cessation services.
Amongst other prominents present in the meeting included Special Secretary School Education Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Director Rural Development and Panchayats Mr. Jaskiran Singh, Joint Director Labour Mr. Sukhmander Singh, Joint Commissioner Food and Drug Administration Mr. Pardeep Kumar, Legal Metrology Mr. Manohar Singh, Superintendent Local Government Mr. Bhadur Singh, Deputy Director State Transport Mr. S.D.S Mann, Representative of LR Department Mr. Amarjeet Singh Sra and senior officers from stakeholder departments.