Mohali: Kabir's teaching a guiding light, says Kataria
Kataria noted that although Bhagat Kabir, born in Varanasi, did not receive formal education, he attained spiritual wisdom through life experiences and the guidance of saints like Sant Ramanand and Sheikh Taqi. 'His couplets, grounded in truth, spirituality and social justice, continue to inspire generations,' the governor said.
Highlighting Bhagat Kabir's pivotal role in the Bhakti movement, Kataria praised his advocacy of love, equality and harmony in an era marked by invasions, violence and social inequality.
Amritsar North MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh termed Kabir a social reformer. Central University (Dharamshala) vice chancellor Kuldeep Agnihotri and foundation founder Pardeep Singh Happy were also present.
Musical evening at Pracheen Kala Kendra
Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, organised a special musical evening to pay musical homage to Saint Kabir. Kabir vani was presented by young artistes from Delhi. Rajesh Negi, Ravi Pal, Ganesh Kumar, Yogesh Pal, Dinesh Kumar, Vipin Kumar and Gurbhej Singh from Delhi gave soulful performances during the evening.
Guv highlights need for clean energy
The summit brought together policymakers, clean energy experts, innovators and industry leaders from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh to discuss strategies for accelerating the shift toward a cleaner, greener and more sustainable energy future.
He felicitated over 20 government departments and private enterprises from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh for their contributions in promoting renewable energy and clean technologies. The honoured organisations represented excellence in electric mobility, solar manufacturing, energy awareness, and institutional capacity building in green energy.
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Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
BJP's claim Himachal govt not cooperating with Centre on railway projects baseless: Agnihotri
Himachal deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri, cornering the BJP over the allegations that Himachal government is not co-operating with the Centre on railway projects, said the opposition leaders of the state are making baseless statements about the ongoing railway projects in Himachal Pradesh. Himachal deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri. (File) He said: 'The state government's viewpoint is clear. We are rising above political differences and working with the central government for the development of the state. The railway projects are extremely important for the economic, social and tourism development of Himachal. These will not only help in connecting the remote areas of the state with other parts of the country but are also important from the national security and strategic point of view.' Agnihotri stated that for a hilly and special category state like Himachal, rail connectivity is as important as road and air connectivity. He said: 'It is the priority of the state government that the Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri rail line, Chandigarh-Baddi rail line and Nangal-Talwara rail line projects are completed on time.' In these projects, the state government has not only made financial contribution but has also played an active role in land acquisition, administrative approvals and completing other necessary formalities, he said adding that the state government has so far contributed ₹847 crore as the state share for the construction of Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri rail line. He further stated that the work on this railway line is in progress and this work is expected to be completed by December 31, 2027. He said that there was a delay in the implementation of this project, so the project cost reported by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited has increased by 6.45 times to ₹6,753.42 crore. Now the state's share has increased to ₹2,583.01 crore, which includes land acquisition cost of ₹1,210.42 crore. Thus, the state government has to spend 38.84% of the total project cost. The deputy CM said that the work of Chandigarh-Baddi Rail Line Project is in progress. This project has been declared as a special railway project by the Government of India. The target has been set to complete the work of this railway line by April 30, 2026. He added that most of the Nangal-Talwara railway line has been completed and it has been opened for traffic from Nangal to Daulatpur Chowk. The entire cost of this project is being borne by the Centre, in which the state government has also played a supporting role. He urged the opposition to refrain from making statements without confirming the facts and work together in the interest of the state.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Odisha teen's uncle arrested for her gang rape, four others being grilled: Cops
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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Sant Namdev connnect: Maharashtra politicians write Punjab CM Mann, seek ‘holy place' status for Gurdaspur's Ghoman
1 2 3 4 5 6 Chandigarh: At least two prominent politicians from Maharashtra and a Pune-based NGO, Sarhad, which boasts of working to strengthen the cultural and historical bond between Maharashtra and Punjab, have written to Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann seeking holy place status for Ghoman village in Punjab's Gurdaspur district of Punjab. This is where Maharashtra-born medieval-era poet, saint, and a prominent figure of the Bhakti movement, Sant Namdev, is believed to have spent the final years of his life. What makes the late saint's association with Punjab even more special is that his 61 hymns (shabads) are also included in the Guru Granth Sahib, considered a 'living Guru' in Sikhism. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder president and Rajya Sabha member Sharad Pawar, in a span of less than five months, wrote twice to CM Mann, requesting the latter to grant holy place status to Ghoman in Gurdaspur. Currently, Ghoman houses Shri Namdev Darbar, where devotees pray at the 'samadhi' of the late saint. "As you may recall, Ghuman (read Ghoman) holds significant cultural and spiritual importance due to its association with Bhagat Namdev Ji. Given its special significance in Marathi spiritual culture and literature, I request you to look into the matter favourably and expeditiously," Pawar wrote in a letter to CM Mann on July 29, a copy of which is with TOI, as he pointed out the same request made in a preceding letter on March 11. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Health and comfort: the comfiest slip-on shoes of the year Ultra-Comfortable Shoes Undo On March 11, Pawar wrote, "I am forwarding a letter regarding a request that I have been personally associated with and which is very close to the hearts of the people of Maharashtra. Sant Namdev Ji holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Maharashtra, as well as Punjab, where Bhagat Namdev Ji's shabads are revered in Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. His spiritual contributions created a lasting bond between the two states. " Referring to the literary congregation held in 2015, Pawar further pointed out, "During the 88th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, which was held in Ghuman (Ghoman), we proposed declaring the village as a holy place, marking its special significance in Marathi spiritual culture and literature. This historic event further highlighted Ghuman's spiritual legacy and its deep-rooted cultural relevance. " Pawar further wrote, "As per my knowledge, more than 50,000 devotees from Maharashtra and the rest of India visited Sant Namdev's Ghuman last year alone. This clearly reflects the spiritual influence of Sant Namdev Ji's teachings and the deep connection he holds with the hearts and minds of people across India." Pawar's letter to CM Mann further read, "I earnestly request you to personally look into this matter and take the necessary steps to grant holy place status to Ghuman (Ghoman). Your esteemed leadership and vision can help in preserving and further enhancing this sacred site." Sarhad Pune founder president Sanjay Nahar said over the phone that "After writing the letter to Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, Sharad Pawar also spoke to (AAP national convenor) Arvind Kejriwal to seek holy place status for Ghoman." Sarhad Pune, while raising the demand in a letter to Punjab CM on March 11, highlighted that "the village holds immense spiritual and cultural significance due to the long stay of Sant Namdev, whose 61 verses are included in the Guru Granth Sahib." It added that the people of Punjab believe that Ghoman "is also the resting place of Bhagat Namdev Ji." Sarhad Pune noted that "over the past decade, lakhs of devotees from Maharashtra have visited Ghuman, with thousands choosing to stay there for extended periods." While demanding holy place status for Ghoman, Sanjay Nahar said, "The govt of Maharashtra has expressed its willingness to contribute wherever necessary. Elevating Ghuman to this status will not only honour its sacred heritage but also generate employment opportunities for thousands of youth in the surrounding areas." On May 14, former Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who is also one of the patrons of Sarhad Pune, also wrote a letter to Punjab CM requesting the holy place status for Ghoman. Shinde wrote, "The emotional appeal to grant Ghuman (read Ghoman), the sacred place where Sant Namdev Maharaj dedicated his later years, the status of a national holy site is close to my heart and to millions of devotees in Maharashtra. As Union minister, I personally took up this issue and wrote to the Prime Minister in 2011, urging for Ghuman's (Ghoman's) recognition as a site of national spiritual importance. " Shinde further wrote, "Since then, senior leaders from Maharashtra, including Sharad Pawar Ji, have supported the demand and written to your esteemed office." Shinde pointed out, "Sant Namdev Maharaj is not just a saint of Maharashtra or Punjab — he is a national spiritual icon whose teachings continue to resonate across generations." According to Shri Namdev Darbar committee joint secretary Sarabjit Singh Bawa, "It is believed that Bhagat Namdev founded Ghoman and meditated here for 18 years." Bawa said devotees heading to Mata Vaishno Devi from Maharashtra often make a stop at Ghoman either while going to Vaishno Devi or on their return. "There is a serai and a big hall for accommodation." "For the past couple of years, devotees have been flocking to Ghoman on cycles from Pandharpur of Maharashtra in batches of a hundred or more," he added. Former Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit, a veteran politician from Maharashtra, Bawa said, in his capacity as governor, gave Rs 1 crore, of Rs 2 crore cost, for the construction of the serai. During the 88th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in Ghoman, then Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal announced to set up a govt degree college dedicated to Bhagat Namdev and a chair at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU). While a constituency college of the GNDU, Baba Namdev University College, was set up in nearby Kishankot the next year, the chair at GNDU remained a non-starter even as it emerged it was reportedly first set up in 1997 and remained defunct. Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari, who attended the inaugural function of the Sammelan, announced the construction of a 157-km-long four-lane cemented road from Amritsar to Una in Himachal Pradesh via Mehta, Ghuman, Tanda, and Hoshiarpur at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore under the national highways project. According to Bawa, "In ten years, of the announced road project, only part of the stretch that was completed is from Amritsar to Mehta. " Nahar said that devotees from Maharashtra believe that Namdev breathed his last in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, but those from Punjab believe that he took 'samaadhi' in Ghoman. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
