CM urges all sections of society to celebrate Valmiki Jayanti

Ludhiana Oct 25 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has exhorted the people to adopt the philosophy of morality and humanity propounded by Bhagwan Valmiki in their lives, so that a harmonious society worth living for each section could be created.

Mr Badal was addressing a largely attended gathering of the followers of Bhagwan Valmiki, before flagging off a Shobha Yatra organized by Bharti Valmiki Dharam Samaj to mark the Parkash Utsav of Bhagwan Valmiki at Daresi Ground, here today.

Mr Badal said that Bhagwan Valmiki was the symbol of morality and a great philosopher, who authored great religious Granth Ramyana, which was still relevant to guide for the solutions of all the problems of the society.

The Chief Minister said that Bhagwan Valmiki had given elaborate guidelines for all aspects of life including social, religious and political.

He said that Bhagwan Valmiki was not only the Lord of the down trodden and Scheduled Caste community, but was equally respected by all the sections of the society.

Mr Badal said it was unfortunate that Parkash Utsav of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji mainly was being celebrated by the Valmiki Samaj and negligible number of people from upper castes.

He called upon the people from all sections of the society to jointly celebrate the Parkash Utsav of Bhagwan Valmiki so that the mutual brotherhood and communal harmony in the society could be further strengthened, which would be the real tribute to Bhagwan Maharishi Valmiiki.

Referring to the plans of his government for the upliftment of weaker sections, Mr. Badal said that funds amounting to Rs 1330 crore have been earmarked in the current year's plan for the welfare of SCs and STs, which constitute 26 per cent of the total plan.

The Chief Minister further informed that the state government has also waved off pending loans of Rs 14 crore against 26000 Dalits and economically weaker families.

Mr Badal said that the Government had also established a dedicated social security fund of Rs 482.46 crore to release regular pensions under various schemes of Social security departments.

He further claimed that SAD-BJP government immediately after coming into power has enhanced the amount of grant for the construction of houses for the houseless SC families from Rs 20000 to Rs 50000 per unit. He also asked Mayor Municipal Corporation Ludhiana to solve all the problems of safai workers and other employees belonging to dalit samaj.

UNI