350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji:

“Tent City being established at Sri Anandpur Sahib to accommodate 12,000 devotees daily,” says Sond

- Tent City to be set up at three locations; cost Rs. 21 crore

- Devotees to be provided excellent accommodation facilities from November 19 to 30

Chandigarh, October 27:Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced that a large-scale Tent City is being established at Sri Anandpur Sahib to accommodate devotees attending the celebrations of the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

He informed that the Tent City is being set up at three sites- Agampur, PSPCL Ground Matour, and Jhinjri to ensure proper lodging facilities for the devotees. The Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs is spending approximately Rs. 21.52 crore on the establishment of Tent City.

The Minister said that arrangements are being made to accommodate 10,000 to 12,000 devotees daily, with all essential amenities to make their stay comfortable and hassle-free. The Tent City will remain operational from November 19 to November 30.

He further mentioned that the tents can be booked online, and details for the same will be announced shortly. To facilitate smooth movement, the approach roads leading to the Tent City are also being upgraded.

Sond added that the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs has been designated as the nodal department for the successful organization and coordination of these commemorative events. He assured that all efforts are being made with utmost dedication to make the celebrations memorable.

The Minister also appealed to devotees and the public to participate enthusiastically in the upcoming events marking this historic occasion

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Polling Staff Rehearsal Held Ahead of Tarn Taran Bye-Election

- Master Trainers brief polling personnel on EVM handling and complete election process

- Joint Chief Electoral Officer Sakatar Singh Bal reviews the training session

Chandigarh, October 27:In view of the upcoming bye-election for the 021-Tarn Taran Assembly Constituency scheduled for November 11, the first rehearsal for polling staff deployed for election duties was conducted at Mai Bhago College of Nursing, Piddi (Tarn Taran).

Joint Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Sakatar Singh Bal, PCS specially visited the venue to review the arrangements and observe the training session. He was accompanied by Returning Officer cum SDM Gurmeet Singh and other officials.

During the session, Master Trainers imparted training to around 1,200 polling personnel on handling EVMs, VVPATs, and Control Units, as well as on the entire polling-day procedure. A mock drill was also conducted for Presiding Officers (PROs), during which they cast at least five votes for each candidate, including NOTA, totaling around 100 mock votes to demonstrate the functioning of the EVMs and VVPATs. The PROs expressed full confidence in the reliability and transparency of the machines.

Addressing the polling staff, Sakatar Singh Bal emphasized that all officers and employees entrusted with election duties must perform their responsibilities with utmost honesty, dedication, and diligence. He urged every member to thoroughly understand all aspects of the polling process to ensure smooth and error-free conduct on polling day, adding that even a minor lapse cannot be tolerated in the election process.

Returning Officer Gurmeet Singh informed that the next rehearsal for polling staff will be held on November 2. He said that the district administration has completed all necessary preparations to ensure that the bye-election in Tarn Taran is conducted in a free, fair, and peaceful manner. He also appealed to all voters of the constituency to exercise their right to vote fearlessly and without any inducement or pressure.

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350TH MARTYRDOM ANNIVERSARY OF SRI GURU TEGH BAHADUR JI

PUNJAB MINISTERS CONTINUE NATIONWIDE INVITATION DRIVE FOR COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS

HARBHAJAN SINGH ETO AND BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL INVITE PUDUCHERRY CHIEF MINISTER N. RANGASAMY

Chandigarh, October 27:Carrying forward the initiative of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to invite Chief Ministers from across the country for the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, Punjab PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO and Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal today met Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy and extended a formal invitation to attend the main events scheduled at Sri Anandpur Sahib next month.

The Cabinet Ministers briefed the Puducherry Chief Minister about the series of state-level religious and cultural events being organized to pay respects to the supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who laid down His life to uphold the principles of faith, righteousness and freedom of conscience. They also apprised him of the key highlights of the commemorations, including the main events from November 23 to 25 at Sri Anandpur Sahib.

Expressing gratitude for being personally invited to these events, the Puducherry Chief Minister said that Guru Sahib’s eternal message of peace, harmony and universal brotherhood will continue to inspire generations across the globe.

Notably, the Punjab Government has deputed its Cabinet Ministers to extend personal invitations to Chief Ministers of all states for the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of the Ninth Guru Sahib. These Ministers have been visiting different states to deliver invitations on behalf of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, ensuring that every corner of the country joins in the remembrance of Guru Sahib’s timeless legacy.

The month-long programmes, which have already begun with the Ardas at Gurdwara Sri Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi, will feature Light and Sound Shows, Kirtan Darbars and congregations at sacred sites across Punjab. Four Nagar Kirtans originating from Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), Gurdaspur, Faridkot and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (Punjab) will culminate at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22. The concluding events will include a Sarbat Dharam Sammelan, a Special Session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and a grand Kirtan Darbar.

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350TH MARTYRDOM ANNIVERSARY OF SRI GURU TEGH BAHADUR JI

DR. RAVJOT SINGH INVITES MEGHALAYA CHIEF MINISTER TO ATTEND 350TH MARTYRDOM ANNIVERSARY OF SRI GURU TEGH BAHADUR SAHIB JI

HARBHAJAN SINGH ETO AND BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL INVITE PUDUCHERRY CHIEF MINISTER N. RANGASAMY

Chandigarh, October 27:Carrying forward the initiative of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to invite Chief Ministers from across the country for the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, Punjab Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh today extended formal invitation to Meghalaya Chief Minister Mr. Conrad Kongkal Sangma, while PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO and Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal met Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy and extended a formal invitation to attend the main events scheduled at Sri Anandpur Sahib next month.

The Cabinet Ministers briefed the Chief Minister about the series of state-level religious and cultural events being organized to pay respects to the supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who laid down His life to uphold the principles of faith, righteousness and freedom of conscience. They also apprised about the key highlights of the commemorations, including the main events from November 23 to 25 at Sri Anandpur Sahib.

Expressing gratitude for being personally invited to these events, Meghalaya and Puducherry Chief Ministers acknowledged that Guru Sahib’s eternal message of peace, harmony and universal brotherhood will continue to inspire generations across the globe.

Apprising about the series of commemorative programmes being organized by the Punjab Government to mark this historic occasion, Dr. Ravjot Singh said that these special events are being held across various sacred sites associated with the life, divine teachings and supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.

Notably, the Punjab Government has deputed its Cabinet Ministers to extend personal invitations to Chief Ministers of all states for the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of the Ninth Guru Sahib. These Ministers have been visiting different states to deliver invitations on behalf of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, ensuring that every corner of the country joins in the remembrance of Guru Sahib’s timeless legacy.

The month-long programmes, which have already begun with the Ardas at Gurdwara Sri Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi, will feature Light and Sound Shows, Kirtan Darbars and congregations at sacred sites across Punjab. Four Nagar Kirtans originating from Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), Gurdaspur, Faridkot and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (Punjab) will culminate at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22. The main events will include a Sarbat Dharam Sammelan, a Special Session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and a Kirtan Darbar.

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NHAI Chairman assures Minister Arora Adampur Airport connectivity, also assures fast completion of all on going projects in Punjab

Chandigarh 27th October 2025:Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora today held a comprehensive meeting with the Shri. Santosh Kumar Yadav Chairman of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), accompanied by the DGM (Technical) and other officials from NHAI, to review progress and resolve pending infrastructure issues across Punjab.

Minister Arora began by underlining the urgent need to develop the approximately three-kilometre approach area near Adampur Airport, pointing out that this stretch falls under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) jurisdiction and it must be taken up by NHAI immediately to ensure safe and efficient airport connectivity. The Ludhiana–Ropar highway project was also a major focus of discussion; the Minister noted significant delays in execution and stressed that the project be re-tendered and fast-tracked so that long-pending works can be completed without further slippage. Arora promised to help in getting soil filling for projects a per Punjab Govt Mining Policy.

On the NHLML parking project, Minister Arora highlighted bureaucratic delays that have held up the tender and construction; the NHAI Chairman responded by immediately directing concerned officials of NHLML to grant the necessary approvals so work can commence at the earliest. Expressing concern over the slow progress of the Ludhiana cycle track, the Minister urged stronger supervision and direct intervention by the Regional Office (RO) Punjab to ensure NHAI’s pilot project is completed on schedule for the benefit of commuters and cyclists.

The meeting also addressed recurring fund-release and portal issues affecting the Delhi–Katra highway, with Minister Arora emphasizing that technical problems on the central funds portal are stalling work and causing financial uncertainties; the Chairman instructed the RO Punjab to resolve all portal-related issues promptly and ensure uninterrupted fund flows.

A detailed review was held on the Jalandhar–Amritsar highway, where both officials discussed outstanding works regarding repairs and agreed on accelerated action plans to clear pending items and improve traffic flow and safety. With commercial operations set to commence at Halwara Airport shortly, Minister Arora stressed the importance of robust road connectivity to the airport to serve the transportation needs of the entire Malwa region; NHAI assured coordinated planning to prioritize approaches and access roads.

The Minister drew attention to chronic congestion around SPS Hospital and Sherpur, noting that incomplete works are causing daily traffic snarls and inconvenience to residents; the NHAI Chairman committed to expediting the remaining work to relieve congestion and restore normal traffic movement. Sidhwan bridges were discussed in detail, with both sides urging immediate completion of residual works to ensure structural safety and uninterrupted connectivity for local communities of Ludhiana.

Minister Arora also pressed for improved routine maintenance of NHAI highways across Punjab, including timely repair of surfaces and prompt restoration and upkeep of street lighting to enhance road safety during night hours. The NHAI Chairman gave categorical assurances that all issues raised by Minister Arora will be addressed on a priority basis, directed concerned regional officials to act without delay, and appreciated the Minister’s proactive engagement and commitment to the development and connectivity of Punjab.

The meeting concluded with an agreement for regular follow-ups and monitoring to ensure timely implementation of decisions and swift resolution of technical, administrative and funding bottleneck

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Book Dedicated to 350th Martyrdom Year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Presented to Honble Chief Justice, Punjab & Haryana High Court

Chandigarh, October 27:The pious book on religious heritage titled “ Spiritual Journey of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib” – A Pictorial Depiction Dedicated to 350th Martyrdom of Sacred Legacy of Ninth Sikh Guru was presented to the Honble Chief Justice High Court Mr Justice Sheel Nagu by State Information Commissioner Punjab Harpreet Sandhu, who is the author of this book today at Chief Justice chambers in High Court Chandigarh. The pictorial compilation is dedicated to the upcoming 350th Martyrdom Year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, showcasing the sacred shrines where Guru Sahib left footprint from his birth till Martyrdom.

The book , “Spiritual Journey of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib”, reflects an inspiring visual narrative of the Guru’s travels, spiritual teachings, and supreme martyrdom. Through an artistic blend of photographs and brief historical insights, the book aims to evoke reverence towards the Guru’s message of universal brotherhood, compassion, and religious freedom. The author, Harpreet Sandhu, has meticulously captured the essence of these holy sites, creating a visual pilgrimage for the readers while promoting awareness about Sikh heritage and history. a set of books were also presented for the library of Judges of High Court as a tribute to the ninth Sikh Guru sahib ‘s supreme sacrifice for the nation .

Hon’ble Chief Justice Punjab & Haryana High Court Mr Justice Sheel Nagu, while acknowledging the book , applauded State Information Commissioner Harpreet Sandhu’s devoted efforts in artistically portraying the sacred journey of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. He stated that the book is a significant contribution towards preserving and propagating the spiritual and historical legacy of the Ninth Sikh Guru, who stood as a beacon of courage and righteousness. The Chief Justice Punjab High Court much appreciated the initiative for its educational and cultural value, emphasizing that such creative work for the diverse communities to connect with India’s spiritual and moral religious heritage.