Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday described the three-day 88th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan as a step towards strengthening the national integration.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday described the three-day 88th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan as a step towards strengthening the national integration.
Strongly advocating the holding of such sammelans across the country, Badal said Maharashtra and Punjab has a strong religious and communal bond since Sant Namdev spent around two decades of his life here whereas 10th Guru of Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh breathed his last at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib (Nanded) in Maharashtra. Seeking a special train from Ghuman to Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Nanded in Maharashtra from Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu, who was present on this occasion, the Punjab Deputy CM said this initiative would further give a new boost to religious and cultural tourism between both states. He said this train could make the religious desires of Sikhs and Marathis fulfilled.
Badal also welcomed the invitation extended by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis to organise Punjabi Sammelan over there. He said it was also commendable move that Fadnavis has announced to establish chair in the name of Guru Gobind Singh to propagate the teachings of 10th Guru of Sikhs.
He also extended invitation to organising committee to organise this event annually here to propagate the teachings of Sant Namdev. While recalling 700 years old communal bond between duo states, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis thanked the Punjab government for organising the Marathi Literature Fest in the name of Sant Namdev.
Starting his speech in Punjabi, Fadnavis said, "Punjab government has set an example by holding this event and we also invite Punjab to arrange Punjabi Sammelan in Maharashtra." He also announced that Maharashtra government will establish a chair in the name of 10th Guru of Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh in Swami Ramanand Tirath Marathwara University, Nanded.
He said Punjab and Maharashtra could jointly cultivate religious tourism in the country by holding such sammelans in league. Earlier Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in his address described the Punjab as a land of freedom heroes, martyrs and food bowl of the country.
He said despite having more than two per cent population in the country, Punjab has been feeding the whole nation for last several decades. He said the contribution of Punjab in freedom struggle could not be overlooked as it had made maximum sacrifices in that battle. "It is matter of great pride that despite not being a land of Marathas, Punjab government has organised such a mammoth congregation, which is commendable," added Prabhu.
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