Holy Nagar Kirtan Yatra commemorating 350th martyrdom year of Hind Ki Chadar Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji begins from Pinjore
Grand pilgrimage to conclude on Nov 24 in Kurukshetra, Prime Minister to attend as chief guest on Nov 25
Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji first global protector of human rights - Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini
Government Polytechnic, Ambala, to be renamed in honour of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji – CM
Chandigarh, November 11 – On the auspicious occasion of the 350th martyrdom year of Hind ki Chadar, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the second holy Nagar Kirtan Yatra commenced on Tuesday from the sacred land of Pinjore in Haryana’s Panchkula district. An Ardaas ceremony was held at Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Darbar, village Gorakhnath, in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini. The Chief Minister offered prayers before Sri Guru Granth Sahib, seeking happiness, prosperity, and well-being for the people of the state.
During the program, the Chief Minister also announced that the Government Polytechnic, Ambala would be named after Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was not only the first protector of human rights in the Sikh community or in India, but in the entire world. He made the supreme sacrifice to uphold the principles of faith, freedom, and humanity. He added that the second Nagar Kirtan Yatra, which began from Pinjore, is a far-reaching initiative to spread Guru Ji’s message of sacrifice, devotion, and the protection of righteousness among the masses.
PM Narendra Modi to grace Kurukshetra Mahasammelan on Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s Martyrdom year
He informed that, to commemorate the 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, four sacred Nagar Kirtan Yatras are being organized across the state, covering all districts of Haryana. These Yatras will culminate in Kurukshetra on November 24. The following day, November 25, a Mahasammelan will take place in Kurukshetra to mark the martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, with Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi attending as the chief guest.
He said that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji shared a deep and historic connection with the holy land of Haryana. In 1665, Guru Ji shifted the headquarters of the Sikh sect to Dhamtan (Pargana Jind, Bangar Desh — present-day Haryana). During the same year, he traveled from Bangar Desh to Lohgarh, meeting the Sangat in Jind, Kaithal, Cheeka, Karah, Siyana Saida, and Pehowa, and urging them to follow the path of righteousness. He also visited Barna village in Kurukshetra district, Thanesar, Ladwa, and the Yamunanagar region.
The Chief Minister said that the people of Haryana are blessed that the sacred feet of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji graced this land on multiple occasions. During his visits, he imparted divine wisdom to the Sangat and inspired them to uphold and protect Dharma. The Gurughars established at the places he visited continue to illuminate his teachings and uphold his ideals to this day, he added.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini stated that the Haryana government celebrates the festivals of our great leaders and Gurus on a grand scale. He highlighted that the state had observed the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji with deep reverence and respect, and now the 350th Martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is being celebrated with equal grandeur at the state level. He added that this event is being led by Sardar Jagdish Singh Jhinda, President of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, who has been actively promoting these yatras. The committee has done commendable work in spreading the teachings, philosophy, and history of the Gurus among the masses.
Referring to various initiatives undertaken by the state government, the Chief Minister said that a research chair has been established in the name of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa, enabling future generations to study his life, philosophy, and contributions, and to draw inspiration from the Gurus’ history.
He further mentioned that the medical college under construction in Yamunanagar has been named after Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and will soon be completed and dedicated to the public. Additionally, the road from Panchkula to Paonta Sahib has been named after Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and a college in Assandh has been named after Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s younger son. A VLDA College has also been established in the name of Mata Gujri Devi at Lakhnaur Sahib, the maternal home of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, reflecting respect for the Guru tradition and Haryana’s rich cultural heritage.
Sardar Jagdish Singh Jhinda, President of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Sardar Gurmeet Singh Ramsar, Vice President of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Sardar Baljit Singh Daduwal, Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma, Kartikeya Sharma, MLA Shakti Rani Sharma, District President Ajay Mittal, former Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, Banto Kataria, OSD Dr. Prabhleen Singh, Om Prakash Devinagar, Sardar Gulab Singh, Bibi Kartar Kaur, and other dignitaries were also present.
Nagar Kirtan Yatra pass through Panchkula district from Nov 11 to 14
This Nagar Kirtan Yatra commenced from Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Darbar, Village Gorakhnath, on November 11. The procession will pass through the villages of Madhawala, Nanakpur, Karanpur, Johluwal, Kirtpur, Lohgarh, and Kheda Basla, and will reach Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib, Pinjore, where it will halt for the night. On the second day (November 12), the Nagar Kirtan Yatra will start from Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib, Pinjore, and proceed through Kalka, Tipra, Mallamod, Himshikha, and the CRPF Camp, before reaching Gurdwara Singh Sahib, Bakshiwala, for an overnight stay. On the third day (November 13), the Yatra will begin from Gurdwara Singh Sahib, Bakshiwala, and pass through Gurdwara Himshikha, Gurdwara DLF, Amravati, Chandi Mandir, Old Panchkula, and Majri Chowk, concluding the day’s journey at Gurdwara Sri Nada Sahib, Panchkula, where it will rest overnight. On the fourth day (November 14), the Nagar Kirtan Yatra will commence from Gurdwara Sri Nada Sahib and proceed through Village Mankaya, concluding the day at Gurdwara Manak Tabra for the night halt.
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CM Nayab Singh Saini inaugurates Haryana State Championship-2025
New facilities will make Haryana the ‘Sports Power of India’: CM
CM Lays foundation stone for Hockey Astroturf and Four-Lane Synthetic Track to be built at a cost of Rs 16.71 crore
Chandigarh, November 11 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that sport is a power that channelizes the energy of youth in a positive direction. When a young person runs on the field, he stays away from drugs and becomes a disciplined partner in nation building.
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini was addressing players at the inauguration ceremony of Haryana State Championship–2025 organised at Baragarh in Naraingarh. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of a Hockey Astroturf field and a four-lane synthetic athletic track to be constructed at a cost of Rs 16.71 crore in this stadium. The Chief Minister also honoured boxer Harnoor Kaur, who won a silver medal at the Asian Games held in October.
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has rightly stated that the player who gives his best performance on the field always moves ahead in life as well. He said the players of Haryana have proved these words true through their lives. Our land has for centuries been the land of warriors, sportspersons, and dedicated workers. Whether it is the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games or National Championships, the sons and daughters of Haryana have always brought glory to the nation. For this, the sportspersons of the State deserve appreciation.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that he felt immense enthusiasm and excitement upon arriving at this sacred land of Baragarh. More than 4,000 energetic youths are participating in this event.
The Chief Minister said, “Let the youth’s voice echo on the field. Always think of victory, learn from defeat and never lose courage – rise high and shape your dreams.” He said through this Championship, players will be able to further enhance their level of performance.
He further said that this Championship is being organised at a time when, from November 1 onwards, the State is celebrating the 350th Shaheedi Diwas (martyrdom anniversary) of Hind Ki Chadar Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji sacrificed his life for the protection of the nation and religion and raised his voice against injustice, religious intolerance, and oppression. He said that Guru Tegh Bahadur ji preferred to sacrifice his life but never deviated from his faith. His sacrifice, renunciation, and principles are a source of inspiration for the youth, and the State is observing his Shaheedi Diwas to spread this message.
The Chief Minister said that the construction of this new track will give a new flight to the dreams of our youth. Along with this, the modern Hockey Astroturf field will prove to be an effective step in making Haryana the Sports Power of India. He said that just as the Astroturf ground in the Hockey Academy at Shahbad produced players like Rani Rampal and Savita Punia who led the nation, similarly, the players emerging from here will also bring glory to the country at national and international levels. This stadium too will become a nursery of hockey, similar to Shahbad.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that with the construction of the four-lane synthetic athletic track, basic sports like athletics will receive a new direction. Every sport begins with running, and when running is done on a modern track, the results too will be world-class.
The Chief Minister added that this track will protect players from injuries and help them enhance their speed and performance. Practice on synthetic tracks will enable our athletes to refine their talents to the fullest.
He said that the Government has undertaken the mission of developing sports infrastructure across the State. For this purpose, the sports budget has been more than doubled. In the current financial year’s budget, a provision of around Rs 589 crore has been made for sports.
At present, the State has 3 State-level sports complexes, 21 district-level sports stadiums, 25 sub-divisional stadiums, 163 Rajiv Gandhi Rural Sports Complexes, 245 rural stadiums, 10 swimming pools, 11 synthetic athletic tracks, 14 hockey astroturfs, 2 football synthetic surfaces, and 9 multipurpose halls. In addition, Haryana Sports University has been established at Rai, Sonipat.
The Chief Minister said that emphasis is being laid on encouraging and training players from a young age. For this, a strong sports infrastructure has been created across the State to ensure that players get access to all modern facilities. The Government is setting up sports universities, coaching centres, and modern stadiums in every village. Sports equipment is also being provided to the players under the Haryana Sports Equipment Provision Scheme, under which 15,634 players have been provided with equipment so far.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that with these sports activities and improved sports policies, players will be able to win the maximum number of medals for Haryana in the upcoming Olympic Games of 2028, 2032, and 2036. The players participating in this Championship will also be among them. He added that if players perform with sportsmanship, hard work, and confidence, they will enhance the pride of Haryana and make India’s flag fly higher across the world.
Highlighting the State’s sports achievements, the Chief Minister said that in the Paris Olympics 2024, out of the six medals won by Indian players, five were bagged by athletes from Haryana. The performance of the State in the Asian Games was also remarkable. In the Hangzhou Asian Games 2022, out of the nation’s 111 medals, 28 were won by Haryana players. He added that Haryana’s athletes also dominated the Commonwealth Games. These achievements are the result of the State’s visionary sports policies.
The Chief Minister said that to nurture players from childhood, sports nurseries have been set up across the State where financial assistance and training are provided. The number of sports nurseries in the State has been increased from 1,500 to 2,000. In these nurseries, players aged 8 to 14 years are given Rs 1,500 per month, and those aged 15 to 19 years are given Rs 2,000 per month. In addition, nursery coaches are also being paid an honorarium of up to Rs 25,000.
At the State-level sports event, Principal Secretary, Department of Sports, Sh. Navdeep Singh, Director General Sh. Sanjeev Verma, Chairman Sh. Dharambir Mirzapur, former MLA Dr Pawan Saini, along with several senior officers and distinguished citizens, were present.