State holds series of events to mark Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom anniversary

Haryana has set a remarkable example in commemorating the legacy of Guru Tegh Bahadur on November 25 at a historic ceremony marking the 350th Shaheedi Diwas at Jyotisar in Kurukshetra.

The event, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, brought together spiritual reverence and national leadership on one platform. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced a series of major initiatives dedicated to the legacy of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The CM and various state departments have made tireless efforts with the active participation of lakhs of citizens, students, scholars and organisations, making Haryana a unique example of communal harmony and respect for Guru Sahib’s values of sacrifice, freedom and universal brotherhood.

From educational programmes and blood-donation drives to state-level yatras, sand-art shows, seminars, light & sound shows and monumental government announcements, the month-long commemorative campaign has reflected the state’s commitment to preserving Sikh heritage.

The highlight of the grand commemoration day was releasing “a postal stamp and commemorative coin” dedicated to Guru Tegh Bahadur and unveiling a beautifully curated ‘Coffee Table Book on Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji’ by the Prime Minister. A resolution dedicated to Guru Tegh Bahadur was presented at the Vidhan Sabha.

Haryana has witnessed an unprecedented and deeply reverential series of statewide initiatives dedicated to the life, legacy and supreme martyrdom of ‘Hind Di Chadar’ Guru Tegh Bahadur.

On November 1, a mega blood donation camp was organised in Panchkula, followed by 350 such camps across Haryana. As of date, nearly 27,000 units of blood have been collected, making it one of the largest volunteer-driven health service campaigns in the state’s history.

An essay-writing competition across government and non-government schools saw 3.5 lakh students participate in the event which saw essays in English, Hindi, Punjabi and Sanskrit.

On November 3, the programme “Suno Kahani Guru Tegh Bahadur Ki” witnessed participation from 350 students from each district.

The state organised four Shaheedi Yatras, each marking a sacred milestone in honour of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The first Yatra began on November 8 from Rori, Sirsa, followed by a national seminar at CDLU Sirsa, where the Chief Minister announced the establishment of the Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Research Chair. The “Hind Di Chadar Run” in Karnal saw a participation of over 50,000 youth. The second Shaheedi Yatra commenced from Pinjore on November 11, while the third Shaheedi Yatra starting from Faridabad, was flagged-off by Union Cabinet Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. On November 18, the fourth Shaheedi Yatra began from Sidora, Yamunanagar, during which the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of “Guru Tegh Bahadur Van” and announced the establishment of Guru Tegh Bahadur Agriculture College. All four yatras congregated at Kurukshetra on November 24. The commemorative series concluded on November 25 with the grand observance of the 350th Shahidi Purb Tegh Bahadur, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.