Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was honoured with the prestigious “Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award” by the “Global Punjabi Association.” This honour was conferred upon him in recognition of his inspiring leadership, commitment to social harmony, and continuous efforts for the welfare of the Sikh community in Haryana.
The Chief Minister attended the programme held at Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, Chandigarh, as the Chief Guest. On this occasion, the Chief Minister paid obeisance to Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and said that today’s occasion is highly inspirational for him as we are witnessing the release of a book based on the life of “Hind Ki Chadar,” the Ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister released the Hindi book “Tilak Janju Ka Rakha,” authored by Dr. Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chief Patron of the Global Punjabi Association. The book is an in-depth, research-based account of the life, travels, and supreme sacrifice of the Ninth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji sacrificed his life for the protection of humanity and freedom of religion
Nayab Singh Saini, in his address, said that in the history of India, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is a name that stands for the protection of humanity and religious freedom, for which he even sacrificed his life. During the reign of Aurangzeb, when circumstances were so difficult that sitting on the Guru’s throne meant enmity with the emperor, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji accepted the Guru’s position with fearlessness and dedication.
The Chief Minister said that when Aurangzeb, through his tyranny, tried to convert Hindus to Islam, he ordered the destruction of temples and banned the construction of new ones. When the Kashmiri Pandits faced this injustice, they approached Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji for the protection of their faith. Upon hearing their plight, the Guru said that only a great soul’s sacrifice could save their religion. Hearing this, the nine-year-old child Gobind Rai (later Sh. Guru Gobind Singh Ji) said, “Father, who could be a greater soul than you? Why don’t you offer your own sacrifice?”
Nayab Singh Saini said that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, upon hearing his son’s words, told the Pandits to go and tell Aurangzeb, “If Guru Tegh Bahadur accepts Islam, we shall all accept Islam too.” For the protection of Hinduism, on November 11, 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji sacrificed his head. He gave his life but did not abandon his faith.
The Chief Minister said that when Aurangzeb ordered the beheading of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at Chandni Chowk, Delhi, Bhai Jaita resolved to carry the Guru’s head to Shri Anandpur Sahib. When the Mughal army pursued Bhai Jaita, he met a disciple of the Guru named Kushal in village Badhkhalsa of district Sonipat. Kushal told him, “My face resembles that of the Guru Ji, so you may cut off my head and hand it over to the Mughal army.” Thus, Kushal sacrificed his head, and Bhai Jaita successfully carried Guru Ji’s head to Shri Anandpur Sahib.
At the initiative of the Prime Minister, ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ is celebrated every year in memory of the bravery and sacrifice of the Sahibzadas
The Chief Minister said that under the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 400th Prakash Purb of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was celebrated across the country during the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. On this occasion, a postal stamp and a coin were also released in his memory. The Prime Minister decided to commemorate the martyrdom day of the Sahibzadas—Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, the sons of the tenth Guru, Sh. Guru Gobind Singh Ji—as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ every year.
Haryana has a deep connection with all the Sikh Gurus
Nayab Singh Saini said that from the First Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, to the Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, all Sikh Gurus have taught us lessons of service, equality, and courage. The sacred land of Haryana has had a deep association with all the Sikh Gurus. Wherever they visited, Gurudwaras have been established in their memory at more than 30 locations. He said that inspired by the Sikh tradition, the Haryana Government is working with a spirit of service for the welfare of all communities.
The Chief Minister said that in Haryana, the 550th Prakash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the 350th Prakash Purb of Sh. Guru Gobind Singh Ji were celebrated in a grand manner. At every step, our double-engine government has worked with devotion and respect. He said that in December 2022, the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee was established, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the Sikh community, thereby granting them autonomy in Haryana. A decision was taken to transfer 70 kanals of land to Gurdwara Shri Chilla Sahib in Sirsa on June 27, 2024, and it has been handed over to the Gurdwara Sahib. The upcoming medical college in Yamunanagar has been named after “Hind Ki Chadar” Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The college at Assandh has been named after Baba Fateh Singh Ji, the younger son of Sh. Guru Gobind Singh Ji. A VLDA College has been established in Lakhnaur Sahib in the name of Mata Gujri. The ‘Swarn Jayanti Guru Darshan Yatra Yojana’ has been launched to provide financial assistance to pilgrims from the state visiting sacred places like Shri Hazur Sahib, Shri Nankana Sahib, Shri Hemkund Sahib, and Shri Patna Sahib.
He said that today, when we live in an age of science, technology, social media, and AI, the teachings of great saints like Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji have become even more relevant. This book will continue to remind future generations of the great ideals and principles of “Hind Ki Chadar” Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and inspire them to follow the path shown by him.
On this occasion, Goswami Sushil Maharaj, Maharani Shrimati Uma Singh of Nabha, OSD to the Chief Minister Sh. Virender Singh Badhkhalsa, Sh. Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal, and office bearers of the Global Punjabi Association, along with other dignitaries, were present.
Japan Visit Proved Highly Successful from Investment Perspective: Rao Narbir Singh
Investment Agreements Worth Nearly Rs 5,000 Crore Signed: Minister
Haryana’s Minister of Industries and Commerce, Rao Narbir Singh, stated that the recent visit to Japan, led by Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, has been highly successful from an investment perspective. During the visit, 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with several major Japanese companies for investments exceeding Rs 5,000 crore. This visit will mark the beginning of a new era in the fields of agriculture and environmental development in Haryana.
Rao Narbir Singh said that Japan’s greatest strength lies in its commitment and work culture — the companies there honour their promises with utmost sincerity and complete them within the stipulated timeframe. He mentioned that Japanese investment in Haryana is not a new phenomenon. In 1980, when he first became a minister, Maruti Udyog Limited had established its first unit in old Gurugram. Today, more than 500 Japanese companies are actively operating in the state, playing a significant role in Haryana’s industrial progress.
He further said that Kubota Tractor Company will play an important role in Haryana’s agricultural development, while in the environmental sector, the development of cities through green energy, electric vehicles, smart mobility, green buildings and sustainable infrastructure will enhance the quality of life of citizens. He informed that during the Japan visit, agreements were signed with reputed companies such as AISIN, Air Water, TASI, Namboob, Denso, Sojitz, Nissin, Kawakin, Daikin and Toppan, which will open up new avenues of employment for thousands of youth.
Rao Narbir Singh said that Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, in his Budget address for the year 2025–26, had announced the development of ten new Industrial Model Townships (IMTs), out of which five have already been approved. The government plans to develop one of these IMTs specifically in collaboration with Japanese companies. For this, the Haryana Government is amending its industrial policy, under which there is a plan to promote electric vehicles worth up to Rs 40 lakh. This policy will not only benefit the middle class but also focus on the expansion of green energy.
He added that it is a matter of pride for him being a native of Gurugram, that during his four tenures as a minister since the 1980s, he has closely observed and experienced the working style and investment culture of Japanese companies.
Haryana Government Amends Bank Empanelment Policy Relaxation in Deposit Limit
The Haryana Government has made significant changes to the policy related to the empanelment (inclusion in the panel) of banks authorized to handle government transactions in the state.
Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, who also holds the charge of Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, has issued the revised guidelines in this regard.
According to the amended policy, the Finance Department has removed the deposit limit of Rs 50 crore for banks (excluding small finance banks) that are being empanelled with the State Government for the first time. Now, such banks will be treated at par with other banks already empanelled with the State Government.
For Small Finance Banks, the permissible deposit limit for any one department and one bank has been increased from Rs 25 crore to Rs 50 crore. All other terms and conditions mentioned in the previous circular will remain unchanged.
At present, a total of 28 banks are empanelled with the State Government for conducting official transactions. These include public sector banks, private sector banks, and small finance banks.
