CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, Banwarilal Purohit on Thursday extended greetings to all Punjabis on the eve of Baisakhi and Ambedkar Jayanti..
In a message for Baisakhi, Purohit said that Baisakhi has a multifarious significance. It marks the ripening of the Rabi harvest, a time of great joy for the farmers to gather the fruits of their hard labour.
The Governor further said that this auspicious occasion has a special significance in the glorious history of Sikhism, as on this day in 1699, the 10th Guru of Sikhs, Sri Guru Gobind Singh founded the ‘Order of Khalsa’ to fight against the tyranny of the Mughals and to preserve human and secular values.
Purohit added that this day also marks the watershed in our freedom movement. In 1919 many known and un-known martyrs sacrificed their lives on this day, in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, for attainment of freedom. This massacre gave a great impetus to the freedom movement.
The Governor appealed to the people to celebrate this festival collectively rising above considerations of caste, and religion, in a spirit of social cohesion and national unity.
Extending his wishes for Ambedkar Jayanti, he said that Baba Saheb always envisaged Indian solutions to Indian problems in keeping with the interests and the needs of our people. His contribution in drafting the Constitution of the world’s biggest democracy is unique. Baba Saheb’s entire life was dedicated to achieve the objectives of social justice, equality and emancipation of poor and down trodden. The path shown by him strengthens the spirit of fraternity, compassion and equity.
“On this day, let us take a pledge to learn from Dr. Ambedkar’s life and thoughts, and follow his teachings”, said Purohit.