Pb CM to start year-long celebrations to mark 550th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh will kick-start year-long celebrations in a state-level function to commemorate the 550th 'Parkash Purab' of Guru Nanak Dev on November 23.

A decision to this effect was taken in a high-level meeting held here Saturday under the chairmanship of Chief Principal Secretary of chief minister Suresh Kumar, according to an official release.

Presiding over the meeting, the chief principal secretary, accompanied by MLA Navtej Singh Cheema and Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Gurkirat Kirpal Singh said during the function to be held here at a local grain market, the chief minister would lay the foundation stone of several key projects that would give a major facelift to the holy city of Sultanpur Lodhi.

He said that these projects would involve strengthening and widening of roads, new bus stand, Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP), holistic development of 41 villages associated with the life of Guru Nanak Dev and others.

Kumar said this function would be the formal inauguration of series of events that would be part of year long celebrations to mark the 550th birth anniversary of the first master of Sikhs.

The chief principal secretary also said that on the occasion, the chief minister would also launch the calendar of events to be organised during the upcoming year.

He said that the state government was committed to organise the 550th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev in a befitting manner.

"All of us were very fortunate to have got the chance to be part of these celebrations during our lifetime, adding that we must render exemplary service bestowed upon us to make this mega event a huge success," Kumar said.

He said that thrust should be laid on creating state-of-art infrastructure in holy city to cater huge rush of pilgrims that were expected to take part in celebrations slated to take place in 2019, adding that foolproof arrangements must be made for security, transportation, boarding and lodging, parking and other facilities to pilgrims.

Kumar said that the development works must be conducted in a time-bound and planned manner.