• Describes Sammelan a step towards strengthening of national integration

• Fadnavis invites Punjab government to hold Punjabi Sammellan in Maharashtra

• Also announces to establish a chair in the name of Guru Gobind Singh in Swami Ramanand Tirath Marathwara University, Nanded

• Prabhu describes Punjab-land of freedom fighters, food bowl of country

NewZNew (Ghuman/Batala) : Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today described three day 88^th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan a step towards strengthening of National Integration and urged Union Railways Minister Mr. Suresh Prabhu to cement this bond further by starting a Special Train from Ghuman to Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra.

Strongly advocating the holding of such sammelans across the country, Mr. Badal said Maharashtra and Punjab has a strong religious and communal bond since Saint Namdev spent around two decades of his life here whereas 10^th Guru of Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh breathed his last at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib (Nanded) in Maharashtra. He said this sammlean has scripted a new chapter in old age relations of Punjab and Maharashtra vis-à-vis both martial races Punjabi and Marathi.

Seeking a special train from Ghuman to Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Nanded Maharashtra from Union Railways Minister Mr. Suresh Prabhu, Punjab Deputy CM said this initiative would further give a new boost to ‘religious and cultural tourism’ between both states. He said this train could make the religious desires of Sikhs and Marathis fulfilled.

Welcoming thousands of Marathis and Punjabis gathered to pay obeisance to Shiromani Bhagat Namdev, Mr. Badal said there were several similarities in both martial races. He also welcomed the invitation extended by Maharashtra CM Mr. Devendra Fadnavis to organise Punjabi Sammelan over there. He said it was also commendable move that Mr. Fadnavis has announced to establish chair in the name of Guru Gobind Singh to propagate the teachings of 10^th Guru of Sikhs.  He also extended invitation to organizing committee to organise this event annually here to propagate the teachings of Sant Namdev.

While recalling 700 years old communal bond between duo states, Maharashtra Chief Minister Mr. Devendra Fadnavis thanked Punjab Government for organizing this gala Marathi Literature Fest in the name of Shiromani Bhagat Sant Namdev.

Starting his speech in pure Punjabi touch, Mr. Fadnavis said Punjab government has set an example by holding this event and we also invite Punjab to arrange Punjabi Sammelan in Maharashtra. He also announced that Maharashtra Government will establish a chair in the name of 10^th Guru of Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh in Swami Ramanand Tirath Marathwara University, Nanded. He said Punjab and Maharashtra could jointly cultivate religious tourism in the country by holding such sammelans in league.

Earlier Union Railways Minister Mr. Suresh Prabhu in his address described the Punjab as a land of freedom heroes, martyrs and food bowl of the country. He said despite having more than 2 percent population in the country, Punjab has been feeding the whole nation for last several decades. He said the contribution of Punjab in freedom struggle could not be overlooked as it had made maximum sacrifices in that battle. “It is matter of great pride that Punjab is not a land of Marathas but it has organized such a mammoth congregation, which is commendable” added Prabhu.

Earlier Mr. Vinod Tawade, Education Minister Maharashtra, General JJ Singh, former Governor, Mr. Bharat Desadla, President Organising Committee, Mr. Sadanand More, President 88^th Sahit Sammellan, Mr. Rehman Rahi, Gyan Peeth Awardee, Mr. Sanjay Nahar of Sarhad Foundation, Mr. Jatinder Pannu, eminent journalist also spoke on the occasion.