Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday released a postage stamp and coin during celebrations of the 400th Parkash Purab of Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort and said that the country is moving forward on the ideals of the Gurus.
"In 2019, we got the fortune to celebrate the 550th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev ji and in 2017, 350th Parkash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh ji. I am happy that today our country is marching on the ideals of our Gurus with full devotion,” the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi pointed out that the Gurudwara Sheeshganj Sahib near the Red Fort reminds us about the enormity of Guru Teg Bahadur’s sacrifice. The ninth Sikh Guru was beheaded in November 1675 on the order of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
We bow to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji on his Parkash Purab. https://t.co/c1uRCOSZta
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2022
The Prime Minister recalled the religious fanaticism and the extreme atrocities of those who resorted to violence in the name of religion in that period. “At that time, a great hope for India to save its identity emerged in the form of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji.
In front of Aurangzeb's tyrannical thinking Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, stood as 'Hind di Chadar', like a rock.”, the Prime Minister said.
The sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji has inspired many generations of India to live and die to protect the dignity of their culture and for its honor and respect. Big powers have disappeared, big storms have calmed down, but India still stands immortal, moving forward, He added.
The Prime Minister said the dreams of the country in the 75 years since Independence have been articulated from the historic Red Fort.
"This programme during the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav has special significance," he said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that India’s freedom from hundreds of years of slavery cannot be separated from its spiritual and cultural journey. That is why, the country is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and 400th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji together with identical resolve. “Our Gurus always took the responsibility of society and culture along with knowledge and spirituality. They made strength a medium of service”, he added.
The Prime Minister said “this land of India is not just a country but it is our great heritage and a great tradition. It has been nourished by our sages, Gurus with hundreds of thousands of years of tapsaya and enrichment of its thoughts.”
“Today, once again the world is looking towards India with hope and expectation. We feel blessings of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji everywhere in the aura of New India,” the Prime Minister added.
Also Read: PM Modi to address nation from Red Fort on Parkash Purab of Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur
