category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU Chandigarh Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Wednesday that the ideology of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati and the Arya Samaj played a significant role in India s independence. The ideology of Arya Samaj inspired innumerable people for freedom and led the country to independence, he said. Khattar was addressing a programme organised on the 200th birth anniversary celebrations of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati in Rohtak s Maharshi Dayanand University, according to an official release. Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Member of Parliament Arvind Sharma, former minister Manish Grover, and Vice Chancellor of Maharshi Dayanand University Rajbir Singh were present on the occasion. Paying tribute to the Arya Samaj founder, the chief minister said following the path shown by Maharishi Dayanand and working for the strength of the nation would be a true tribute to him. That is why every person should try to eliminate social evils like casteism and untouchability and make continuous efforts to take children forward by giving them education, he said. Maharshi Dayanand was the main architect of the revolution of 1857 and influenced by his nationalist ideology, many patriots like Ram Prasad Bismil and Bhagat Singh joined the Arya Samaj and later worked for the independence of the country by furthering his ideology, said Khattar. Following the guidance shown by Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, the state government is also working on the principle of sabka saath, sabka vikas , so that every needy person can progress, the chief minister said. Khattar said the state government is continuously working to promote women s education and empowerment. After the formation of the present government, 72 colleges have been set up in the state, of which 31 are for women. Women have been given 50 per cent representation in Panchayati Raj institutions, he added. Similarly, the number of women personnel in Haryana Police is being increased. Earlier, the number of women police personnel used to be only 6 per cent, which has been increased to 9 per cent and now it will be further increased to 15 per cent, Khattar said. (editor dailyworld.in)