Teachings of Sant Namdev Ji Inspire Humanity, Equality and Dignity of Labour- CM

CM announces Rs 21 lakh for Namdev Bhawan, reiterates commitment to OBC welfare; calls for concrete action against drug menace in Punjab

Chandigarh, 

Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the teachings of Sant Shiromani Namdev Ji Maharaj continue to inspire society with the values of brotherhood, love, equality, humanity and dignity of labour. He said saints and great spiritual personalities do not belong to any particular caste or community but serve as guiding lights for society as a whole. By imbibing their teachings in everyday life, a harmonious society and a strong nation can be built.

 The Chief Minister was addressing a programme organised to commemorate the 756th Prakashotsav of Sant Namdev Ji Maharaj at Namdev Bhawan in Sector 21, Chandigarh, on Sunday. Cabinet Minister Sh. Ranbir Gangwa was also present on the occasion.

 The Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs 21 lakh for Namdev Bhawan and assured positive consideration of the memorandum of demands submitted by Haryana Namdev Sabha State President and former Chairman of the Backward Classes Commission, Sh. Satbir Verma.

 Highlighting the contribution of Sant Namdev Ji, the Chief Minister said that through his teachings and life, the revered saint spread the message of devotion, service to humanity and respect for every hardworking individual. His sacred hymns are also enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

 He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, the country is moving towards the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047. The Haryana Government is also working with the spirit of Antyodaya to ensure the welfare of all sections of society and strengthen good governance. During the government's two-year tenure, 70 promises have been fulfilled, while work on 143 others is underway.

 The Chief Minister said that the Haryana Government has taken the initiative to celebrate the birth anniversaries of revered saints and great personalities, including Guru Ravidas Ji, Bhagwan Valmiki Ji, Bhagwan Vishwakarma Ji, Bhagwan Parshuram Ji and Bhakt Dhanna Jat, at the government level to ensure that their teachings reach the younger generation. Appreciating the rich cultural heritage of the Rohilla Rajput community, he urged the youth to move forward in the fields of education, skill development and entrepreneurship.

 Reiterating the government's commitment to the welfare of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the Chief Minister said that both the Central and Haryana Governments have been consistently working to provide greater opportunities in education, reservation and employment to backward communities. He said that granting constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes and providing OBC reservation in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools and medical education have opened new avenues for the community.

 He said that in Haryana, the annual income limit for the creamy layer among backward classes has been increased from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh. Besides ensuring representation for the BC-A category in local bodies, the government has also made provision for 27 percent reservation in government jobs.

 The Chief Minister said that the State Government is also working to provide opportunities to Agniveers in government services and strengthen the economic empowerment of women. Referring to budgetary provisions for women's welfare and the scheme to provide LPG cylinders at Rs 500 to eligible families, he said that the objective of welfare schemes is to provide relief to the common people.

 Expressing serious concern over the growing drug menace in Punjab, the Chief Minister criticised the state government and said that instead of using such a serious issue for political gains, concrete action should be taken to tackle the problem. He stressed that protecting the youth from drug addiction is a collective responsibility of the government and society.

 Referring to awareness programmes and running events organised in Haryana to educate young people about the harmful effects of drugs, he emphasised the need for strict action against those involved in drug trafficking. He also expressed concern over unemployment, law and order and the condition of youth in Punjab, stating that collective efforts are essential to safeguard the future of coming generations.

 Referring to his visit to Sweden, the Chief Minister said that an understanding had been reached regarding investments of approximately Rs 4,000 crore in Haryana. He expressed hope that these investments would boost industrial activities in the state and create new employment opportunities for the youth. He said that the government's priority is to provide better opportunities in education, skill development and employment while taking Haryana forward on the path of development.

 Speaking on the occasion, Haryana Public Health Engineering and Public Works Minister Sh. Ranbir Gangwa said that Sant Shiromani Namdev Ji had given society the message of brotherhood, love, harmony and equality. He said that adopting the teachings of saints and great personalities is essential for building a harmonious society and a strong nation.

 The Minister said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the Haryana Government has taken the initiative to celebrate the birth anniversaries of saints and great personalities at the government level to spread their teachings among the people.

 He said that Sant Namdev Ji's birth anniversary has also been celebrated in Haryana during the past two years. The participation of representatives of the Namdev community from different districts of Punjab in the programme held in Chandigarh reflected a growing spirit of awareness and positive change within the community. He added that the Haryana Government is continuously working to ensure dignity and equal opportunities for all sections of society, including backward classes.

 Expressing concern over the drug menace in Punjab, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa said that drug addiction has emerged as a serious challenge for the state. He cautioned that failure to protect the younger generation from addiction would have far-reaching consequences for society. He urged political parties, social organisations and followers of the teachings of saints and great personalities to play an active role in combating the menace.

 Earlier, Haryana Namdev Sabha State President and former Chairman of the Backward Classes Commission, Sh. Satbir Verma, expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini for attending the Sant Namdev Jayanti celebrations for the third consecutive time.

 He said that the Chief Minister had implemented several welfare schemes in Haryana for all sections of society, particularly the poor, farmers, employees and backward classes. He further stated that members of the Namdev community in Punjab were also impressed by the Chief Minister's working style and policies and expected a Bharatiya Janata Party government to be formed in Punjab.

 Sh. Satbir Verma submitted a memorandum of demands on behalf of the community, seeking the Chief Minister's recommendation for the establishment of a tailoring and embroidery board in Punjab on the lines of Madhya Pradesh to promote the traditional occupations of the Namdev community, particularly tailoring, embroidery and weaving.

 He also raised demands for the revival of the discontinued Sant Namdev Chair at a university in Amritsar, naming government institutions in Punjab after Sant Namdev Ji Maharaj and addressing other community-related issues.

 Senior  BJP leader Sh. Sanjay Tandon, Tank Kshatriya Sabha President Sh. Om Prakash Garcha, Vice President of the organisation, Sh. Jaswinder Singh, Sh. Kuldeep Singh, Sh. Karamjit Singh Kaith, General Secretary; Sh. Naresh Majra, Sh. Jaspal Singh, Joint Secretary, Sh. Surender Kumar, Sh. Mangi Lal, Sh. Ravinder Pal, Sh. Namdev Singh and other prominent members of the community also remained persent  on this occasion.