350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji: Four Nagar Kirtans to Cover a Distance of 1,563 km- Tarunpreet Singh Sond

- Minister extends invitation to devotees across the world to participate in Nagar Kirtans

Chandigarh, November 5:Punjab’s Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, said that the Punjab Government is commemorating the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji with utmost devotion and on a grand scale. The Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs has been designated as the nodal department for organizing and coordinating these historic events.

Providing details about the Nagar Kirtans being organized from various religious places, Sond informed that four Nagar Kirtans will commence on November 19 from different locations and will cover a total distance of 1,563 kilometres, culminating at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22 after passing through prominent towns and cities across Punjab.

The main Nagar Kirtan will start from Srinagar on November 19, passing through Jammu, Pathankot, Dasuya, Hoshiarpur, Mahilpur, and Garhshankar, before reaching Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22. The Nagar Kirtan will halt at Jammu on November 19, Pathankot on November 20, and Hoshiarpur on November 21, covering a total distance of 544 kilometres.

The Majha-Doaba route Nagar Kirtan will begin from Gurdaspur on November 20, and proceed through Batala, Baba Bakala, Sri Amritsar Sahib, Tarn Taran, Goindwal Sahib, Kapurthala, Kartarpur, Jalandhar, Banga, and Balachaur, before reaching Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22. The halts will be at Sri Amritsar Sahib on November 20 and Jalandhar on November 21, covering 345 kilometres in total.

On the Malwa-1 route, the Nagar Kirtan will start from Faridkot on November 20, passing through Ferozepur, Moga, Jagraon, Ludhiana, Khanna, Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib, Morinda, Chamkaur Sahib, and Ropar, before concluding at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22. The Nagar Kirtan will stay at Ludhiana on November 20 and Fatehgarh Sahib on November 21, covering 320 kilometres.

Under the Malwa-2 route, the Nagar Kirtan will commence from Talwandi Sabo on November 20, travelling through Bathinda, Barnala, Sangrur, Patiala, Rajpura, Banur, Mohali, Kurali, and Ropar, and will reach Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22. The halts will be at Sangrur on November 20 and Mohali on November 21, covering 354 kilometres in total.

Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond extended a heartfelt invitation to devotees across the globe to participate in these Nagar Kirtans and pay their humble tribute to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s supreme sacrifice. He also urged devotees to take part with enthusiasm in all other commemorative events being held across the State.

===========================================

Significant Progress on Rejuvenation of Buddha Dariya, Says Sanjeev Arora

High-Level Committee Sets Roadmap

Chandigarh, 5 November 2025:The High-Level Committee (HLC) for the Rejuvenation of Buddha Dariya has reported substantial progress toward restoring the ecological health of the water body. As per the review conducted recently, nearly 90% of the decisions taken during the July–August 2025 meetings have been implemented.

The HLC was constituted by the Government of Punjab through notification dated July 14, 2025. It is chaired by Sh. Sanjeev Arora Minister for Industries & Commerce, Punjab, with the Chief Secretary, Punjab, as Vice-Chairperson. Senior officials from the Departments of Local Government, Water Resources, Science & Technology, PPCB, PEDA, PWD (B&R), PDC, IIT Ropar, and the Deputy Commissioner and Municipal Commissioner of Ludhiana are members—ensuring political leadership, administrative authority, and technical expertise.

Key Achievements from July to October 2025 are as Infrastructure Upgradation project amounting to Rs. 650/- crore has been completed. Gaughat Intermediate Pumping Station is now fully operational. Slope and drainage issues at critical points resolved through continuous monitoring. NIH Roorkee study confirms no under-capacity in existing STPs.

Disclosing on Cow Dung & Dairy Waste Management, Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora added that 100% implementation of zero-discharge policy has been adopted. Door-to-door collection is operational across Municipal limits. Long-term management partner being onboarded through RFP; award expected by end of November 2025. 21 illegal discharge points identified and FIRs registered after a joint departmental walking survey.

He said that Action Against Illegal Dairies Outside City Limits have been taken in which 71 out of 76 illegal dairies closed by the district Task Force. Remaining 5 found to be non-polluting and are under watch.

He revealed that CBG Plants & Long-Term Waste-to-Energy Solutions have been explored and existing 200 MTPD CBG plant have been fully operational. HPCL’s 300 MTPD CBG plant construction started; another similar plant to begin shortly. PEDA facilitated clearances and approvals for these investments.

Strengthening on Industrial Effluents & CETP Compliance, he informed that CETPs of 15 MLD, 40 MLD, and 50 MLD now showing compliant BOD/COD levels as per PPCB monitoring, though consistency is being further strengthened. CETPs exploring additional technologies to reduce TDS and move towards ZLD. TWIC (Tamil Nadu Water Investment Company) being engaged to prepare a roadmap for advanced effluent management.

Sharing more details about Action Against Electroplating Units, he said digital mapping of electroplating units have been completed. Inspections are being conducted; non-compliant units sealed and legal action initiated by PPCB & Municipal Corporation.

Scientific Assessment & Digital Monitoring has been conducted by IIT Ropar onboarded for source apportionment and pollution analysis. Initial findings expected by November 2025 and final report by Q2 2026. Pollution sources are now being digitally tracked for ountability.

Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora said that these efforts are already showing results. For example BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) decreased consistently from 155 in January 2025 to being consistently below 50mg/L in October 2025. Similarly, COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) has decreased from 400mg/L to 150mg/L. TSS (Total Suspended Solids) has moved from 300mg/L to ~150mg/L. These are extremely encouraging results.

With 7 HLC meetings held in the last 4 months, the rejuvenation of Buddha Dariya has moved from infrastructure creation to strict enforcement, digital monitoring, and long-term ecological restoration, he added.

Sh. Sanjeev Arora stated that the Punjab Government is committed to achieving a balance between environmental protection and industrial development, creating a win-win model for ecology and economy.

========================================

HARBHAJAN SINGH ETO CALLS ON KERALA CM PINARAYI VIJAYAN

*• MINISTER EXTEND INVITATION FOR 350TH MARTYRDOM ANNIVERSARY OF SRI GURU TEGH BAHADUR JI*

*• BRIEF KERALA CM ON STATEWIDE COMMEMORATIVE INITIATIVES TO PAY RESPECTS TO THE ‘HIND DI CHADAR’*

*• PINARAYI VIJAYAN PRAISES PUNJAB GOVT’S EFFORTS TO SPREAD GURU SAHIB’S UNIVERSAL MESSAGE OF HARMONY, COMPASSION AND UNITY*

*Chandigarh/Thiruvananthapuram, November 5:*Punjab Public Works Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO today called on Kerala Chief Minister Sh. Pinarayi Vijayan at Thiruvananthapuram and extended a formal invitation to join the state-level commemorations being organised to mark the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

Conveying greetings from Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Cabinet Minister apprised Sh. Sh. Pinarayi Vijayan of the elaborate plans being undertaken by the Punjab Government to observe this historic occasion with reverence and grandeur. He shared that the month-long commemorative events will highlight the supreme sacrifice of Guru Sahib to uphold the principles of religious freedom and human dignity.

During the meeting, the Minister informed that the celebrations have already commenced on October 25 with Ardaas at Gurdwara Sri Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi, followed by devotional congregations and cultural programmes across Punjab. He added that a series of Light and Sound shows depicting Guru Sahib’s life and teachings are going on in all 23 districts, while 130 sacred sites associated with Guru Sahib’s travels are hosting Kirtan Darbars and spiritual gatherings.

The Minister also briefed that four Nagar Kirtans, starting from Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), Gurdaspur, Faridkot and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (Punjab), will converge at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22. The concluding ceremonies from November 23 to 25 will feature Sri Akhand Path Sahib, Sarb Dharam Sammelan, a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and a grand Kirtan Darbar. A dedicated Tent City “Chakk Nanki” is also being established at Sri Anandpur Sahib to accommodate thousands of devotees visiting daily.

Chief Minister Sh. Pinarayi Vijayan appreciated the Punjab Government’s visionary initiative to pay the respects to the legacy of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, terming it a strong message of unity, compassion and brotherhood.

The Punjab Minister further stated that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann has envisioned these commemorations not only as a tribute to the Ninth Guru Sahib but also as a national effort to disseminate Guru Sahib’s teachings of peace, equality and righteousness. He said that Sri Anandpur Sahib will become a vibrant centre of devotion and cultural expression during the celebrations, drawing devotees and visitors from across India and abroad.