Chandigarh, October 13-Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Naib Singh Saini was today honoured with 'Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award' by the Global Punjabi Association. This honour was conferred on him in recognition of his inspiring leadership, commitment towards social harmony and continuous efforts for the welfare of the Sikh community of Haryana.
The Chief Minister attended the programme organised at Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, Chandigarh as the Chief Guest. On this occasion, the Chief Minister paid homage to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and said that this occasion today is very inspiring and heart-touching for me. When we have witnessed the release of a book based on the life of the ninth Guru of India, Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister released the Hindi book 'Tilak Janju Da Rakha' written by Dr. Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chief Secretary of the Global Punjabi Association. This book is a researched account of the life, travels and unique sacrifice of the ninth Guru of the Sikhs, Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji sacrificed his life for the protection of humanity and freedom of religion
Shri Naib Singh Saini said in his speech that in the history of India, Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is a name who sacrificed his life for the protection of humanity and freedom of religion. At that time, Aurangzeb was ruling in India and the situation was so critical that the Guru had to face enmity with the Emperor. In such a critical time, Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji showed courage and accepted the position of Guru.
The Chief Minister said that when Aurangzeb wanted to convert Hindus to Muslims due to his tyranny, he issued orders to demolish Hindu temples and stopped the construction of new temples. When Kashmiri Pandits had to face this injustice, they took refuge in Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji to protect their religion. Hearing their grief, Guru Ji said that if a great man sacrifices himself, then he can save his religion. Hearing this, the 9-year-old boy Gobind Rai (Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji) said that father, who can be a greater great man than you? Why don't you sacrifice yourself? Shri Naib Singh Saini said that Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, after listening to his son, told the Pandits to go and tell Aurangzeb that if Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji accepts Islam, then we will all accept Islam ourselves. On November 11, 1675, Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji sacrificed his head to protect Hinduism. He gave his head but did not abandon religion.
The Chief Minister said that when Aurangzeb had the head of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji severed from his body in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, Bhai Jaita resolved to take his head to Shri Anandpur Sahib. When the Mughal army was chasing Bhai Jaita, they found a disciple named Kushal in Badkhalsa village of Sonipat district. He told Bhai Jaita that my appearance resembles that of Guru Ji. Therefore, you should remove my head and hand it over to the Mughal army. In this way, Kushal got his head carved and Bhai Jaita succeeded in taking Guru Ji's head to Anandpur Sahib.

Veer Bal Diwas is celebrated every year in memory of the bravery and sacrifice of the Sahibzades on the initiative of the Prime Minister
The Chief Minister said that on the initiative of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the 400th Parkash Parv of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was celebrated across the country in the Amrit Mahotsav of Azadi. A postage stamp and a coin were also released in his memory on the 400th Parkash Parv of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The Prime Minister decided to celebrate the martyrdom day of the Sahibzades of the tenth Guru Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, as Veer Bal Diwas every year.

All Sikh Gurus have a deep connection with the holy land of Haryana
Shri Naib Singh Saini said that from the first Guru Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji to the tenth Guru Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, all Sikh Gurus taught us service, equality and courage. All Sikh Gurus have had a deep connection with the holy land of Haryana. Wherever they visited, Gurudwaras have been established in their memory at more than 30 such places. He said that inspired by the Guru tradition, the Haryana Government is working for the welfare of the entire society with a sense of service.
The Chief Minister said that in Haryana too, the 550th Parkash Purb of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the 350th Parkash Purb of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji were celebrated in a grand manner. At every step, our double engine government has worked with devotion and respect. He said that the Haryana Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee was established in December, 2022.
This fulfilled the long-standing demand of the Sikhs. This has given autonomy to the Sikh community in Haryana. It was decided to transfer 70 kanals of land to Gurudwara Shri Chillan Sahib in Sirsa on June 27, 2024 and it was given to Gurudwara Sahib.
The medical college to be built in Yamunanagar has been named after the Hidd di Chadar Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh Ji. The college in Assandh has been named after Baba Fateh Singh Ji, the younger son of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. A VLDA college has been established in the name of Mata Gujri in Lakhnaur Sahib. The Swarna Jayanti Guru Darshan Yatra Scheme has been launched with the aim of providing financial assistance to the pilgrims of the state going to Shri Hazur Sahib Gurudwara, Shri Nankana Sahib, Shri Hemkund Sahib and Shri Patna Sahib. He said that today when we are living in the era of science, technology, social media, AI, then the teachings of great men like Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji have become more relevant than ever. This book will also remind the coming generations of the great ideals and principles of the Indian leader Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and will continue to inspire them to follow the path shown by him.
On this occasion, Goswami Shri Sushil Maharaj, Maharani of Nabha Smt. Uma Singh, OSD to the Chief Minister Shri Virendra Barkhalsa, Shri Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal and officials of Global Punjab Association along with other dignitaries were present.