Punjab CM asks Sikh devotees to visit Kartarpur

Ushering in week-long celebrations for Guru Nanak Dev's 550th birth anniversary, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday asked followers of Sikhism to visit Kartarpur in Pakistan and said ir dream of a 'darshan' at historic Darbar Sahib will be realised later this week. On Monday, Singh had raised doubts about Pakistan's intention in "suddenly" taking up 70-year-old demand of Sikh community to open Kartarpur corridor that links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev, to Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur.

" dream of devotees to take darshan at historic gurdwara will be fulfilled on vember 9 when prime minister (Narendra Modi) will inaugurate Kartarpur Corridor at Dera Baba Nanak," said a statement issued by chief minister's office.

On Monday, Singh had alleged that Pakistan was aiming to drive a wedge in Sikh community by exploiting religious sentiments. chief minister will lead an all-party delegation to Kartarpur Corridor to attend its inauguration on Saturday. Singh ushered in birth anniversary celebrations of founder of Sikhism at historic Sultanpur Lodhi city by performing 'sewa' or service of Guru Granth Sahib, principal scripture of Sikhism, before beginning of 'Sehaj Path' prayers.

celebrations have been jointly organised by Punjab government and Sikh religious organisations at famous Sri Guru Nanak Darbar here. chief minister called upon people to follow Guru's teachings of tolerance and harmony to counter challenges of growing religious intolerance in country. He appealed to devotees to t indulge in politics or one-upmanship and commemorate auspicious event in spirit of universal harmony, as propagated by Guru.

Describing himself as a "humble Sikh" with a duty to celebrate momentous event in a befitting manner, chief minister extended an invitation to all devotes of Guru to participate in main function on vember 12. To mark occasion, state government has undertaken many infrastructure development works in both Sultanpur Lodhi and Dera Baba Nanak to turn se hamlets into modern herit towns, statement said.

It anunced a new administrative complex and a ring road around herit city of Sultanpur Lodhi, to be built at a cost of Rs 150 crore, to enhance its connectivity with or cities. iconic Quila Sarai, that at present doubles up as Tehsil administrative office, will be preserved by state government as a herit building. Upgradation and widening of roads, besides construction of new bridges and improvement of hospitals, has been undertaken at a cost of Rs 235 crore.

statement anunced that cleaning and lining of right bank of Holy Bein has been completed in Sultanpur Lodhi section at a cost of Rs 11 crore in partnership with environmentalist Sant Seechewal. state government has also secured approval from Centre for its proposal to develop Sultanpur Lodhi as a Herit Town at a cost of Rs 271 cr on a 50:50 sharing basis, and to set up a Centre for Inter-Faith Studies at GNDU, Amritsar at a cost of Rs 175 crore.

It has also proposed establishment of a museum named 'Pind Babe Nanak Da' on around 75-80 acres of land at a cost of Rs 300 crore, statement added. Widening of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Marg from Sultanpur Lodhi to Dera Baba Nanak Road via Beas and Raiyya had been undertaken at a cost of Rs 102 Crore, chief minister said in statement. He said that a tented city, spread across 277 acres, for 35,000 people has been erected a cost of Rs 53 crore, with 2,200 temporary toilets and 10 water vending machines, besides 18 parking sites spread over 542 acres to facilitate devotees.

Special trains, including Prakash Purab Express from Delhi to Sultanpur Lodhi, have also being made operational. Punjab had also made efficient arrangements for running of special buses and mini buses as well as e-rickshaws free of cost for devotees in Sultanpur Lodhi. To mark historic occasion, Punjab government has convened a Special Vidhan Sabha Session on Wednesday, to be addressed by Vice-President M Venkiah Naidu and former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

chief minister, along with Cabinet Minister Charnjit Singh Channi, also released four books related with Guru Nanak's philosophy printed by state's Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. He also inaugurated two exhibitions containing relics, manuscripts and rare books associated with Guru Nanak Dev's life.