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.