DW BUREAU / Jalandhar

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann participated in the 200th birth anniversary celebrations of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj and a great social reformer of India, in Jalandhar on Sunday. The Chief Minister paid tribute to him and recalled the inspirational work done by Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati in the fields of education, social reform, and the Indian freedom struggle.

During his address, the Chief Minister said that Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati made great contributions in the fields of education and social reform. He fought a long battle against the social evils of his time and paved the way for change by awakening people through education. His contribution to the history of the country is invaluable.

He further stated that the objectives of the Aam Aadmi Party and Arya Samaj are similar. "We also talk about education, and the foundation of the Arya Samaj also works in the field of education. In schools and colleges run by the DAV Foundation across the country, millions of children are receiving education. These schools provide high-quality education," he added.

The Chief Minister said that social change is possible only through education. "The problems of society can also be solved through education," he said. The Chief Minister also paid homage to Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, and Kartar Singh Sarabha, recalling their sacrifices. "A person is not defined by their age, but by their thoughts and struggles. Bhagat Singh sparked a revolution among the youth with his thinking. At the mere age of 23, he sacrificed his life for the freedom of the country," he remarked.

The Chief Minister also stated that the greatest beauty of Punjab lies in the harmony and love shared between all religions. "Punjab is the land of Gurus and saints. Seeds of hatred cannot be sown here. The people of Punjab celebrate Eid, Holi, Diwali, and Guru Purb together," he said.

He further added that politics should never be based on caste. "Our saints and sages taught us the lesson of humanity. They taught us to rise above caste and religion and work for the betterment of society. Today, we need to draw inspiration from their teachings," the Chief Minister concluded.

(editor@dailyworld.in)