SAS Nagar, 26 August (H.S.): The Punjab Government will organise 92 specially designed drone shows across the state as part of the year-long celebrations dedicated to the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj. The shows will begin in September and will use modern digital technology to showcase the life, Bani and teachings of Guru Sahib.

Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond made the announcement while chairing a review meeting with the Deputy Commissioners of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Rupnagar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar at the District Administrative Complex, SAS Nagar. The meeting reviewed preparations for the upcoming drone shows and other programmes planned to commemorate the historic occasion.

Sond said more than 500 drones would participate in each show. The aerial presentations, lasting around 25 to 30 minutes, will be held at night and will present the life and teachings of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji in an immersive manner. He said the initiative would particularly help connect the younger generation with the eternal message of Guru Sahib.

The Minister directed Deputy Commissioners to identify suitable venues and ensure that the public is informed well in advance about the dates, timings and locations of the shows.

He said the state government was organising several religious, cultural and educational programmes under the guidance of revered saints. These include Kirtan Darbars, seminars in universities, school-level competitions and screenings of a specially produced documentary on the life, Bani and teachings of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji.

Reviewing preparations for the proposed Shobha Yatras, Sond said four yatras would originate from Kashi, Jammu, Bathinda and Faridkot and culminate at the sacred site of Khuralgarh Sahib. The yatras will be taken out in November, while the yatra originating from Kashi will have a night halt in Mohali.

The Minister said the documentary on Sri Guru Ravidas Ji had already been screened in around 3,500 of Punjab’s approximately 13,500 villages. A fleet of 50 vans is travelling across the state to screen the documentary and spread the message of Guru Sahib.

The year-long celebrations will conclude with a three-day special programme at Khuralgarh Sahib in December.

Sant Baba Pardeep Das Ji thanked the Punjab Government and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for organising the celebrations. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, who joined the meeting online, said the programmes had created a positive and spiritual atmosphere among the Sangat.

Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh said the drone show in Mohali would be organised successfully with large public participation. Advisor to the Punjab Tourism and Heritage Promotion Board Deepak Bali said the innovative drone presentations would play an important role in connecting the younger generation with the Bani and teachings of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji.

DC SAS Nagar Komal Mittal, DC Rupnagar Aaditya Dachalwal, DC Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar Gurpreet Singh Aulakh, AAP SC Wing leaders and other officials were also present.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH