Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
* Terms SAD-BJP alliance govt. as the most secular govt. in the country
Jalandhar, Acceding to a long pending demand of the Christian community regarding provision of land for graveyards, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that the state government would make all out efforts to provide suitable land for the burial ground required by the community across the state.
Addressing a gathering during a function organized to mark the 25 years of service to humanity by Diocese of Jalandhar Dr Franco Mulakal here today, the Chief Minister said that necessary directions have been already made to the Deputy Commissioners of all the districts in the state to find suitable land for this purpose. He said that the state government was duty bound to provide land for the burial grounds to the brethren of the Christian community and no stone would be left unturned in this regard. Lauding the Christian community for rendering marvelous services in the field of Education and Healthcare, the Chief Minister said that the community was serving the masses with true zeal and commitment. Mr. Badal said that he was highly grateful to the community for making stupendous efforts to serve the poor and needy adding that the state government would extend fulsome support and cooperation to the community in this noble cause. “The firm commitment and dedication of the Christian community inspires every individual to serve the mankind in real sense” he added.
Terming the SAD-BJP alliance government as the most secular government in the country, the Chief Minister said that the state government has taken path breaking initiatives for the welfare of each and every strata of society. He said that it was a fact that the SAD-BJP alliance government was following the footsteps of the great Sikh Gurus who have taught them the message of communal harmony, love, brotherhood, peace and above all of egalitarian society with pure secular character. Mr. Badal said that was why they have always tried to give adequate representation to all the sections of society in the state government. Citing an example, he said that the alliance government has given due representation to every minority in the state Minority Commission.
The Chief Minister further said that Punjab was land of great Gurus, Saints and Seers who had propagated the message of communal harmony, love and brotherhood in the every nook and corner of the world. He said that it was a matter of great pride and satisfaction for them that despite of all odds the state government has been able to safeguard communal harmony, peace and amity in the state. “Our biggest achievement is that despite of being a border state, Punjab is today a flag bearer of peace, communal harmony, brotherhood and amity in the country” added Mr. Badal.
On the occasion Vatican Ambassador Arch Bishop Salvatore Pennacchio lauded the Chief Minister for his generosity and warm hospitality. He also presented a Message of Peace to the Chief Minister from Pope Francis on the occasion of upcoming Gurpurab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. KD Bhandari, MLA Mr. Pargat Singh, Chairman District Planning Committee Mr. Gurcharan Singh Channi, former MLA and Chairman District Planning Committee Kapurthala Mr. Sarabjeet Singh Makkar and Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Ajoy Kumar Sharma.
