Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh/Bhubaneswar-
The Punjab Govt today reached out to Odisha in a spirit of shared national heritage, as Punjab’s Finance Minister, Harpal Singh Cheema, and Food and Supplies Minister, Lal Chand Kataruchak, paid a special visit to Bhubaneswar to meet with the Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi.
The primary purpose of the high-level visit was to formally extend an invitation to Chief Minister Majhi for the grand events being organized in Punjab to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of ‘Hind Di Chadar’ Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the Ninth Sikh Guru.
During the cordial meeting held at the Odisha Chief Minister’s office, Cheema presented the formal invitation and provided an overview of the scale and significance of the commemorative programs. Cheema highlighted that the events are intended to be a national tribute to the Guru’s unparalleled sacrifice for religious freedom and human rights.
“The martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is a pivotal moment in the history of India, epitomizing the defense of fundamental human values,” said Minister Cheema while adding, "As the sacrifices of the 'Hind Di Chadar' (The Shield of Hind) are a national legacy that transcends all religious and regional boundaries, we are profoundly honoured to welcome Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to the commemoration of this historic anniversary."
Kataruchak further emphasized the importance of inter-state participation, stating, “We received a warm reception from Chief Minister Majhi. The spirit of this visit is to underscore the unified tribute that the nation must pay to the Guru Sahib. His message of courage, secularism, and universal brotherhood resonates strongly across all states, including the rich cultural landscape of Odisha.”
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his deep respect for the sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and acknowledged the significance of the 350th anniversary.
The Ministers also presented Chief Minister Majhi with a traditional memento and literature detailing the historical context of the commemoration, solidifying the cultural and political exchange between the two states.