Punjab Post Daily Online Newspaper & Print Media
Amritsar, June 14 (Punjab Post Bureau) – Amritsar Foundation Day procession was flagged off this morning with ardaas to the Almighty by Jathedar Akaal Takht, Singh Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh ji at the Golden temple. The procession of great pomp and show included students on cycles, motorcycle enthusiasts, open jeeps, City sanitation teams, and hundreds of citizens concerned with the welfare of the Holy City. Marching along were people of all walks of life, representatives of NGO’s, NCC cadets, children from Bhagat Puran Singh Pingalwara, college and school kids. Blessing the efforts of EcoAmritsar Jathedar Akaal Takht expressed solidarity with the cause of a Clean & Green Amritsar. He Lauded Eco Sikhs target of creating a beautiful Holy City by 2017, and extolled citizens of all faiths in Amritsar and Punjabis globally to comeTogether to make this dream a reality.
A week of celebrations, dialogues, spot make-overs, religious discourses have seen the build up for the 438th Foundation Day of the City. Many organisations including the SGPC, Baba Bhodewala Gaushala, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, Kesh Sambhaal Prachaar Sanstha,
WWF, Dilbir Foundation, Nishaad Entertainers, Trillium Mall, CKD College of Nursing, Indian Academy of Fine Arts, VOA, Artists Punjab, Bhai Vir Singh Niwas Asthaan organised events to commemorate the Foundation Day. Tarundeep Singh, Project Administrator, coordinating the entire effort, was overwhelmed by the support by on and all, and announced that the programs shall continue for another day.
Amritsar, established as Chak Ram Dasspur, in 1557 by the fourth Sikh Master was a planned city with Harimandar Sahib as its nucleus. Part of its roadmap was an economically self sufficient and sustainable plan setting up “52 Kittae” (business hubs) as Centres of vocational excellence. It was a city with many green spaces, spiritually enriched, with a strong social fabric of religious tolerance & brotherhood. Today this city of 14 lac residents plays host to over 35 million pilgrims and tourists each year, who Throng its confines for spiritual solace and to enjoy the splendour of its Golden temple. Amritsar offers them much more. Its Gourmet food delights, its warmth & hospitality, its typically Punjabi fashion merchandise, and above all a spirit of oneness.
A Peoples Meet followed the culmination of the procession at Ram Bagh Gardens this morning. It was presided over by DC Amritsar, Mr. Pradeep Sabharwal, who saw the coming together of well meaning social organisations, youth and citizens as a turning point for a better City. A thumping applause was given to Mr. Anil Joshi, Minister For Local Bodies, who walked into the meet as a common citizen.
He proudly supported on his arm the EcoAmritsar sticker of “I am Responsible! Amritsar-My City, My Pride, My Responsibility!” He said the responsibility of the city lies on each citizens shoulder, and he assured that he will devote all his resources to achieve the target of a Clean & Green City by 2017 as perceived by the charter.
Dr. Rajwant Singh, President EcoSikh, talking from Washington DC expressed his desire to see a sustainable Amritsar City by 2017,
And termed this the dream of the global Punjabi Diaspora spread out in 160 nations of the world.
Gunbir Singh, Chairman EcoAmritsar termed the Program as a Peoples Movement for Change. He welcomed leaders of all walks of life,
Representatives of various faiths, youth icons, corporate houses, NGO’s, media, educators and youth and thanked them for adopting the Program
For Change as their very own. He said that the stigma of an unclean city shall be removed by its common citizens, and its administration
Will also provide support to this citizens movement. Amritsar shall see its zenith as a model city with pride and accomplishment soon.
