Punjab launches year-long events to mark 650th Parkash Purb of Guru Ravidas

Patiala: Punjab govt on Wednesday launched a year-long series of programmes across the state to mark the 650th Parkash Purb of Guru Ravidas, with the first event held at Punjabi University, Patiala.The celebrations will include programmes in universities and educational institutions, besides documentary screenings in villages and urban wards, and processions to spread the Guru's message of equality and social justice. Addressing the inaugural event, AAP Punjab affairs in-charge Manish Sisodia urged the youth to contribute to building a society based on ‘Begumpura' — the casteless and discrimination-free society envisioned by Guru Ravidas.He said despite constitutional guarantees of equality, social and economic disparities continued to persist and stressed the need for translating constitutional values into reality.Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the state govt was committed to implementing Guru Ravidas's principles of equality and social justice. He said development works at the Sri Guru Ravidas Memorial in Khuralgarh were underway and a Sri Guru Ravidas Bani Study Centre would soon be set up at Faridpur.Cheema said the aim of organising such events across educational institutions was to connect students with the reformist teachings of Guru Ravidas and create a more socially conscious environment.During the event, religious scholars and academicians discussed the Guru's teachings and their relevance in contemporary society.