SAS Nagar, August 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Power, Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Thursday called upon students to follow the teachings of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji and build their lives around hard work, equality, contentment and human dignity.
Sond was addressing the 8th State-Level Seminar at CGC University, Jhanjeri, Mohali, organised as part of the Punjab Government’s year-long commemoration of the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji.
The minister said Sri Guru Ravidas Ji had raised his voice against oppression and caste-based discrimination nearly six centuries ago, advocating equality, justice and dignity for all. He said the Guru made a significant contribution to the spiritual and social upliftment of humanity and placed strong emphasis on the dignity of labour and hard work.
Urging students to adopt these values, Sond advised them to distinguish between genuine needs and greed. He said a life guided by contentment could help people become better human beings and lead more meaningful lives. He also encouraged students to develop the habit of reading good books to deepen their understanding of spirituality and human values.
Sond said the Punjab Government was commemorating the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji through programmes including Kirtan Darbars, university and state-level seminars, drone shows, school competitions, Shobha Yatras and awareness activities across the state.
On efforts to prevent drug abuse among young people, the minister said the state government had launched a decisive campaign against drugs. He said nearly 1,000 sports stadiums and playgrounds had been completed out of 3,100 being developed across Punjab to encourage youth to take up sports and constructive activities.
He said seminars and awareness programmes were also being organised to make young people aware of their responsibilities towards society and guide them towards spiritual and constructive pursuits.
Sond further said a Centre of Excellence-type Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Bani Adhyayan Kendra was being constructed near Dera Ballan in Jalandhar at a cost of Rs 25 crore. He said Rs 11 crore had been spent on acquiring land for the project, while an initial budget of Rs 100 crore had been earmarked for the year-long 650th Parkash Purab celebrations.
Delivering the religious message, Sant Satwinder Heera Ji, National President of the All India Adi-Dharam Mission, Charan Chhoh Sachkhand Begumpura, Sri Khuralgarh Sahib, said Sri Guru Ravidas Ji had given society a powerful message of hard work, equality and social justice.
He said the Guru opposed oppression of weaker sections and preached equality among all human beings. Referring to the concept of Begumpura, he said it represented the ideal of an egalitarian society in which people could live with dignity without discrimination based on caste or colour.
Sant Satwinder Heera Ji urged students to remain focused on their goals and work with dedication without allowing distractions to affect their ambitions. He also appreciated the Punjab Government and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for organising year-long programmes to disseminate the teachings of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji.
AAP SC Wing state president and former MLA Gurpreet Singh GP said Punjab and India were fortunate to have inherited the rich legacy and teachings of great Gurus and saints. He said the principles propagated by Sri Guru Ravidas Ji continued to remain relevant in the present era.
CGC University Vice Chancellor Dr Vinay Goyal said human values had assumed greater significance amid the rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence and digitalisation. He said Sri Guru Ravidas Ji’s teachings continued to provide guidance on spirituality and morality even as society underwent technological transformation.
He encouraged students to explore the spiritual world by reading and learning about the teachings of great saints and Gurus.
Among those present were Kharar SDM Gurmeet Singh, Dean Students Welfare Dr Sachin, Professor and moderator Dr Krishna, Deputy Director, Higher Education Department, Dr Manish Kumar, along with other distinguished guests, faculty members and students.
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