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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann laid the foundation stone for the “Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Bani Study Centre,” to be built at a cost of Rs. 37 crore (approximately $37 billion) at Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar. This 10.4-acre center will be a major center for the study of the teachings, life, and philosophy of Guru Ravidas Ji.

Jalandhar: Paying respect and reverence to the eternal teachings and divine message of Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today laid the foundation stone for the “Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Bani Study Centre” at Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar. Present on this auspicious occasion were Padma Shri Sant Niranjan Das Ji of Dera Sachkhand Ballan, Sant Pragat Nath Ji of Bal Nath Ashram, Sant Pardeep Das Ji of Kathhar, Sant Teja Singh Ji, Sant Nirmal Das Ji Jaude Wale, Sant Lekh Raj Ji, and other prominent figures.

Area and Cost of the Center

Developed as a prestigious institution for the study of the life, philosophy, and sacred teachings of Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj, the Center will be built on a 10.4-acre site. Its total cost will be ₹37 crore, of which ₹11 crore has been spent on land and ₹60 lakh on necessary approvals. The Punjab Government will bear all the expenses required for its construction.

Proposed Buildings and Objectives of the Center

The Center will consist of a three-story administrative and teaching block, three-story hostels for boys and girls (each with accommodation for 54 students), and a two-story building for teachers and staff. The Center will provide a unique space for children, students, and researchers to study the life, teachings, teachings, and teachings of Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj and encourage research that will spread the light of his knowledge and message throughout the world.

Part of the 650th Prakash Parv Celebrations

The foundation stone was laid as part of the Punjab government’s year-long celebrations dedicated to the 650th Prakash Parv of Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj, with a budget of ₹100 crore. As part of these celebrations, 50 mobile vans will be traveling to 13,000 villages across all 23 districts to screen documentaries on the Guru’s life, philosophy, and teachings, spreading his message of equality, humanity, and respect to the people of Punjab. His teachings spoke strongly against caste discrimination and social inequality and showed humanity the true path, while his commitment to an egalitarian society will continue to inspire generations to come.

Ministers and officials present

The Chief Minister was accompanied on the occasion by Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema, Aman Arora, Tarunpreet Singh Saund, Mahinder Bhagat, Dr. Ravjot, Harbhajan Singh ETO, and Lal Chand Kataruchakk; Lok Sabha Member Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal; Chairman of the Punjab State Cooperative Agricultural Development Bank Pawan Kumar Tinu; Advisor to the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department Deepak Bali; MLAs Balkar Singh and Inderjit Kaur Mann, and others were present.

The Sant Samaj, including Padma Shri Sant Niranjan Das Ji of Dera Ballan, Sant Pragat Nath Ji of Bal Nath Ashram, Sant Pardeep Das Ji of Kathhar, Sant Teja Singh Ji, Sant Nirmal Das Ji Jode Wale, Sant Lekh Raj Ji, were also present on the occasion.

Chief Minister’s Address: Importance of the Center

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction for us that the state government is undertaking yet another noble initiative as a mark of respect and reverence for Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj. We are truly fortunate to have the opportunity to perform this service dedicated to the 650th birth anniversary of Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj. As part of this initiative, the foundation stone of the Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Bani Study Center is being laid today. The entire project will cost ₹37 crore, of which ₹11 crore has been spent on land and ₹60 lakh on necessary approvals. All other expenses required for the construction of the center will be borne by the Punjab government.”

Details of the Centre’s Infrastructure

Elaborating on the planned infrastructure at the Centre, the Chief Minister said, “The Centre will be spread over 10.4 acres with a total covered area of ​​approximately 96,500 square feet. The Centre will have a three-story administrative and teaching block, as well as three-story hostels for boys and girls, each accommodating 54 students. A two-story residential block, spanning 1,200 square feet, will also be constructed for teachers and other faculty members.”

Role in Study and Propagation of the Bani

Referring to this center as a great institution for the study and propagation of the teachings of Guru Ji Maharaj, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This center will prove to be very helpful in the comprehensive study and research of the Bani of Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj, and will also play a vital role in spreading the teachings of Guru Ji to every corner of the world. I hope that this center will serve as a beacon of light to further the ideology of Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj, so that our future generations can draw inspiration from his Bani. This center will play a central role in providing students and researchers studying the life and philosophy of Guru Ji with the opportunity to study various aspects of the sacred Bani of Shri Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj.”