New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took part in a programme organised to mark the ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in the national capital.

The programme has been organised in the remembrance of last Sikh Guru- Guru Gobind Singh, his four sons (Sahibzade), and Mata Gujri Ji. PM Modi attended the ‘Shabad Kirtan’ being performed by around 300 Baal Kirtanis.

Later, PM Modi flagged off a march-past by around 3,000 children in Delhi, an official statement by the Prime Minister’s Office read.

This is a part of the Centre organising interactive and participative events all  to inform and educate the citizens, especially young children, about the story of exemplary courage of the ‘sahibzades’, the children of the last Sikh guru Gobind Singh, who laid down their lives while defending their faith, the PMO statement said.

PM Modi on the day of the Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, on January 9, 2022, declared that December 26 will be marked as ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ to pay homage to the courage of the ‘Sahibzades’, the four sons of the last Sikh guru- Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

While all four sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji were martyred, the date is observed as the martyrdom day of the Sahibzadas- Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh who were martyred at the tender ages of six and nine in Sirhind (Punjab) by Mughal forces on the orders of the then ruler Aurangzeb.

The place where the sons of the tenth Sikh Guru were buried alive is the present day’s Fatehgarh Sahib.

Across the country, essay writing, quiz competitions and other activities are being organised in schools.

Digital exhibitions will be set up at public places like railway stations, petrol pumps and airports, among others.

All over the country, programmes will be organised where dignitaries will narrate the life story and sacrifice of the martyred sons of the last Sikh guru, the statement said.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi took to Twitter and said, “On Veer Baal Diwas, we recall the courage of the Sahibzade and Mata Gujri Ji. We also remember the courage of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. At 12:30 PM today will be joining a programme to mark this inspiring day.”