Veteran Punjabi film actor Nirmal Rishi receives Padma Shri
Amritsar, December 4: The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi today paid obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib on his visit to the holy city. The PM also paid obeisance at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He was accompanied by the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani, Governor of Punjab V.P. Singh Badnore, Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister S. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh and Union Minister of State Vijay Sampla.
The Prime Minister spent around 35 minutes at Sri Darbar Sahib during which while paying obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib, he was honoured with ‘Siropao’ (robe of honour) by the head granthi. He remained at Sri Darbar Sahib from 8.15 to 8.50 during which he also performed sewa at langar. Afterwards, he was specially honoured at the information center of Sri Darbar Sahib by Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal who presented a model of Sri Harmandir Sahib to him.
The PM arrived at the heritage street and truly enjoyed as well as appreciated the cultural and heritage look given to the surroundings. Feeling elated at the spiritual experience on visiting Sri Darbar Sahib, the PM said that he is feeling blessed. He wrote ‘Guru Bhoomi Ko Shat Shat Naman’ (I Bow my head to the land of Gurus) in the visitor’s book.
On the occasion, the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani while visiting Sri Darbar Sahib for the first time termed his visit as ‘Historic’ and profusely praised the beauty of Amritsar. He wrote ‘The Wonder of Imagination’ in the visitors book. The Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal and the Deputy Chief Minister S. Sukhbir Singh Badal guided the PM and the other international dignitaries about the history and culture of Punjab besides divulging the un-tiring efforts of the Punjab Government in giving a beautified and cultural look to the holy city thereby helping it acquire more prominence on the world map.
The Deputy Chief Minister further disclosed that the heritage street approaching Sri Darbar Sahib has been transformed by giving unique cultural look to the all 170 buildings surrounding it at a cost of Rs. 160 crore. The changed look stands testimony to the great artistic and cultural heritage of Punjab. He also said that the statue of ‘Sher-E-Punjab’ Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji now adorns the famous fountain chowk where the statue of Queen Victoria of England once stood. The Deputy Chief Minister also said that the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji is a prime example of secularism, communal harmony and progress. He further informed that the heritage street reminds one of the 18th century period.
Among others present on the occasion included Rajya Sabha MP Shwet Malik, Cabinet Minister Punjab Anil Joshi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister-K.J.S. Cheema, Principal Secretary to the Deputy Chief Minister- P.S. Aujla, Special Principal Secretary to the Deputy Chief Minister-Rahul Tewari, Commissioner of Police Lok Nath Angra, I.G. Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, Secretary SGPC Amarjit Singh Chawla and Chief Secretary SGPC Harcharan Singh.
