KARTARPUR (JALANDHAR): In a deeply devotional tribute to the timeless teachings and divine message of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday laid the foundation stone of the Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Bani Adhyayan Centre at Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar, in the sacred presence of Padam Shri Sant Niranjan Dass Ji of Dera Sachkhand Ballan, along with Sant Pargat Nath Ji of Bal Nath Ashram, Sant Pardeep Dass Ji of Kathar, Sant Teja Singh Ji, Sant Nirmal Dass Ji of Jaure Wale, Sant Lekh Raj Ji and others,.
The Centre, being developed as a major institution for Adhyayan into the life, philosophy and sacred Bani of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj, will come up over 10.4 acres at an overall cost of ₹37 crore, including ₹11 crore spent on the land and ₹60 lakh on necessary permissions, while the Punjab Government will bear whatever expenditure is required for its construction.
The Centre will have a three-storey Administration and Teaching Block, three-storey boys’ and girls’ hostels with accommodation for 54 students each, and a two-storey building for teachers and staff. It will provide children, students and research scholars a dedicated space to study the life, Bani, philosophy and teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj and undertake research that carries the light of his wisdom and message across the world.
The foundation stone has been laid as part of the Punjab Government’s year-long celebrations of the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj, for which ₹100 crore has been earmarked. As part of these celebrations, 50 mobile vans are travelling across all 23 districts to screen documentaries on Guru Ji’s life, philosophy and teachings in 13,000 villages, taking his message of equality, humanity and dignity to people across Punjab. His teachings raised a powerful voice against caste discrimination and social inequality and showed humanity the true path, while his vision of an egalitarian society continues to inspire generations.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema, Aman Arora, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, Mohinder Bhagat, Dr Ravjot Singh, Harbhajan Singh ETO and Lal Chand Kataruchak; Lok Sabha MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal; Chairman, Punjab State Cooperative Agriculture Development Bank, Pawan Kumar Tinu; Advisor, Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Deepak Bali; MLAs Balkar Singh and Inderjit Kaur Mann; and others.
On the occasion, Sant Samaj, including Padam Shri Sant Niranjan Dass Ji of Dera Ballan, Sant Pargat Nath Ji of Bal Nath Ashram, Sant Pardeep Dass Ji of Kathar, Sant Teja Singh Ji, Sant Nirmal Dass Ji of Jaure Wale, Sant Lekh Raj Ji and others, were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for us that the state government is undertaking another noble initiative as a mark of our reverence and respect for Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj. We are truly blessed that we have the privilege of rendering this service dedicated to the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj. Today, the foundation stone of the Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Bani Adhyayan Centre is being laid. The overall project will cost ₹37 crore, with ₹11 crore spent on the land and another ₹60 lakh on necessary permissions. Whatever expenditure is required for constructing the Centre will be borne by the Punjab Government.”
Detailing the infrastructure planned at the Centre, the Chief Minister noted, “The Centre will be spread over an area of 10.4 acres and the total covered area will be approximately 96,500 square feet. The Centre will have a three-storey Administration and Teaching Block along with three-storey boys’ and girls’ hostels, each having accommodation for 54 students. A two-storey residential block spread over 1,200 square feet will also be constructed for teachers and other faculty members.”
Envisioning the Centre as a major institution for Adhyayan and propagation of Guruji Maharaj’s teachings, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “This Centre will go a long way in undertaking extensive Adhyayan and study of the Bani of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj besides being instrumental in propagating Guru Ji’s teachings in every nook and corner of the world. I hope that this Centre will act as a lighthouse for further perpetuating the ideology of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj so that our future generations can seek inspiration from his Bani. This Centre will play a pivotal role in facilitating students and Adhyayan scholars studying the life and philosophy of Guru Ji and undertaking Adhyayan on various aspects of the sacred Bani of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj.”
Linking the initiative with the state government’s wider efforts in education, he said, “Our government has prioritised education and has taken path-breaking initiatives in the Education sector to transform the lives of people. No freebie or concession cards can eliminate poverty or other social maladies in the state but education is the key that can pull people out of this vicious circle by raising their standard of living. Due to this, our government is tirelessly making efforts to improve the standard of education to empower the common people.”
Highlighting Punjab’s achievements in school education, the Chief Minister said, “As a result of these efforts, Punjab is excelling in the school education sector and NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog, one of the Government of India’s premier institutions, has released new figures showing that Punjab has surpassed Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi to secure the number one position in primary and middle-school education. Education is the light that illuminates the world by dispelling the darkness due to which the state government is laying special thrust on it. The state government firmly believes that every child deserves access to quality education irrespective of his or her economic background.”
Emphasising the government’s efforts to provide equal opportunities to children, he said, “Our government is making concerted efforts to give impetus to the Education sector. The government’s initiatives are aimed at ensuring that children from common families get the same opportunities to excel as anyone else. Education is the strongest tool for empowering future generations and building a prosperous Punjab and the state government will leave no stone unturned to strengthen it. When I had assumed charge of office, the state was on 27th rank in school education but it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that today it is number one in this field.”
Highlighting the rise in the number of government school students qualifying NEET, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “While only 80 students from government schools had qualified the NEET examination in 2021, the number has risen to 881 students in 2026, marking the highest-ever achievement by Punjab Government schools. Previous regimes converted schools in the entire state into just Mid Day Meal Centres but now these schools have been transformed into Educational hubs. The state government is working on a mission of boosting education in the state and ensuring access to quality education for poor students.”
Chief Minister said, “Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj gave the message of welfare of the entire humanity and equality of all sections of society, thus creating a society based on egalitarian values. Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj laid out the concept of such an ideal society where nobody undergoes suffering of any kind. Through his teachings, Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj raised a powerful voice against caste discrimination and social inequality and showed the path of humanity, compassion, equality and dignity to mankind.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj was born at a time when society was deeply entangled in the caste system and was divided by rigid notions of high and low status. A powerful movement emerged against the forces that sought to divide society, which eventually came to be known as the Bhakti movement. Through his Bani, Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj envisioned a classless society in which no person would suffer from pain, sorrow or deprivation. Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj imparted spiritual wisdom through his Bani to dispel the misconceptions and prejudices of social inequalities among human beings. The state government is committed to carving out an egalitarian society as envisioned by Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj.”
Speaking about the 650th Parkash Purab celebrations, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I am also blessed to have got the opportunity to celebrate the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj on a magnificent scale. The state government will leave no stone unturned for celebrating the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji in an unsurpassed manner. It is our collective duty to spread the message of Guru Ji across the globe. Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji had envisioned an egalitarian society free from any sort of discrimination and year-long events have been chalked out to celebrate the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj.”
He said, “The 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj is being commemorated on a grand scale and for this purpose ₹100 crore has been earmarked in the budget. Special documentary shows are being organised to take the inspiring life, philosophy and sacred teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj to every household. Mobile vans have been flagged off to screen these documentaries, and they are travelling from village to village. These vans will visit approximately 13,000 villages across all 23 districts of Punjab and no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause.”
Speaking about his interaction with the Sant Samaj, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I was fortunate to have got blessings from Padam Shri Sant Niranjan Dass Ji, who was recently bestowed the Padam Shri Award, and who is here amongst us all.”Earlier, Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and MLA Balkar Singh welcomed the dignitaries on the sacred occasion.
