Chandigarh, 09 June (H.S.): Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday urged the Union Government to allot special trains from Punjab to Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj Janam Asthan Mandir at Seer Govardhanpur in Varanasi to facilitate devotees during the upcoming 650th Parkash Purab celebrations. The minister has sent a reminder letter to the Centre after receiving no response to the state’s earlier request.

Cheema, who heads the Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted to oversee the yearlong celebrations, chaired a high-level review meeting to assess preparations being undertaken by the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. He said the state is already providing free travel facilities to pilgrims through the Mukh Mantri Teerath Yatra Scheme, with regular train and bus services operating from various districts to Varanasi between April and October.

The Finance Minister informed that the celebrations will culminate in grand Shobha Yatras during October and November, connecting Varanasi, Faridkot, Bathinda, Jammu and Khuralgarh. He added that special Kirtan Samagams are being organized across the state, with upcoming events scheduled in Amritsar, Sangrur, SBS Nagar, Pathankot, Phillaur, Jalandhar and Ludhiana.

To maximize public participation, the Punjab Government has approved large-scale multimedia campaigns, including drone shows at 92 locations and documentary screenings in villages across the state. The Higher Education and Languages Department is also organizing seminars on the teachings and philosophy of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj at leading universities, while the School Education Department is conducting statewide competitions, quizzes, debates and awareness programmes promoting equality and constitutional values.

Cheema said the celebrations will also include blood donation camps, the release of a commemorative pendant and the distribution of 6.50 lakh flags across Punjab. As part of environmental initiatives, 650 acres of Panchayati land will be developed into Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj Bagichis, alongside a plantation drive targeting an average of 6.50 lakh saplings per district.

The main state-level event will be held at Khuralgarh and will feature exhibitions, Sant Samelans, Bani conferences, drone shows and advanced 3D projection mapping at Minar-e-Begumpura. The government is also considering a proposal to construct specialized wooden Panchkarma huts at Guru Ravidass Ayurved University in Hoshiarpur as part of the commemorative celebrations.

Prominent amongst others Secretary Tourism Kumar Amit, Advisor to Department of Tourism Deepak Bali, former MLA Pawan Kumar Tinu, Secretary Information and Public Relations Department Puneet Goel, and Director Tourism Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari were also present in the meeting.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH