Minister Krishan Kumar Bedi Announces ₹21 Lakh for Goswami Dharamshala in Kurukshetra

183 meritorious students and sportspersons honoured at Goswami Tulsidas Jayanti programme; minister assures support for Tulsidas Chowk in Kurukshetra

KURUKSHETRA | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK

Haryana Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Krishan Kumar Bedi said Goswami Tulsidas played an important role in awakening society, promoting unity and emphasising discipline as a foundation for social progress. He said the teachings of saints and great personalities continue to provide direction to society and should be followed by people to build a disciplined, inclusive and progressive nation.

Bedi was speaking as the chief guest at a programme organised by the Haryana Dashnam Goswami Samaj Sabha at Goswami Dharamshala in Kurukshetra on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Goswami Tulsidas. The programme began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the minister.

During the programme, Bedi announced ₹21 lakh for the construction work of the Goswami Dharamshala. He also assured members of the community that he would take up the matter with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini for the construction of a chowk in Kurukshetra city in the name of Goswami Tulsidas.

The minister said that Goswami Tulsidas had worked to awaken society and provide it with a sense of unity, discipline and moral responsibility. Referring to the contribution of Tulsidas, he said that the great literary and spiritual work created by him during his time continues to remain relevant and beneficial for people even today.

Bedi said Goswami Tulsidas was among the great saints who contributed to social awareness and consciousness. He said society should learn from the teachings of saints and social reformers and work towards removing divisions and strengthening harmony.

He called upon members of society, particularly the younger generation, to take a pledge to follow the path shown by great saints and personalities. According to him, discipline is essential for both individual development and collective progress, and a disciplined society can play a stronger role in the development of the country.

A major highlight of the programme was the felicitation of 183 meritorious students and sportspersons from the Goswami community. The students and players were honoured for their academic achievements and performance in sports.

Of the 183 awardees, 168 students who secured more than 80 per cent marks in Classes 10 and 12 were recognised for their academic performance. Another 15 sportspersons were honoured for bringing recognition to the community through their achievements in different sporting disciplines.

The minister congratulated all the award recipients and encouraged them to continue working hard in their respective fields. He said academic excellence and sporting achievements both contribute to the development of young people and help them become confident and responsible citizens.

Bedi said the Haryana Government had taken several policy initiatives for the welfare and empowerment of poor, needy and backward sections of society. He said various policies and rules had been formulated during the past years and efforts had been made to implement them at the grassroots level.

He particularly referred to reservation for the Backward Classes in Panchayati Raj institutions, saying that an 8 per cent reservation had been provided for the BC category in Panchayat elections. According to the minister, the provision had helped improve political participation and representation of members of the community in local governance.

He said the reservation had opened opportunities for members of the Goswami community to participate in local administration and democratic institutions. Members of the community had been able to secure positions including panch, sarpanch and representatives in Block Samitis and municipal bodies.

The minister also spoke about employment opportunities for young people. He said that under the present government, recruitment to government jobs was being based on merit and eligibility. He claimed that young people no longer needed to depend on recommendations or unfair practices to secure government employment.

Bedi said the government was working to ensure that eligible candidates could obtain employment opportunities on the basis of their qualifications and merit. He encouraged young people to focus on education, skills and preparation rather than depending on external influence.

Referring to social welfare measures, the minister said that approximately 36 lakh citizens in the state were receiving pensions or financial assistance under various social security schemes. He also mentioned the Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi scheme, under which around 10 lakh women were receiving benefits.

He said the government was working towards creating a society based on welfare, equality and dignity. Referring to the ideal of Ram Rajya described by saints and spiritual figures, Bedi said the government was working towards translating the vision of a welfare-oriented society into practical initiatives.

The minister also stressed the importance of collective efforts by the government and social organisations. He said community organisations can play an important role in identifying social challenges and supporting government efforts for education, welfare, empowerment and social development.

During the event, Subodh Giri, state president of the Haryana Dashnam Goswami Samaj Sabha, welcomed the chief guest and other distinguished guests. He presented various demands and issues concerning the community before the minister and sought government support for their resolution.

The minister assured the community representatives that the issues raised during the programme would be considered appropriately. He also reiterated his commitment to supporting the development of the Goswami Dharamshala and taking up the proposal for a chowk named after Goswami Tulsidas with the Chief Minister.

The programme also provided a platform to recognise the achievements of young members of the community. The felicitation of students who achieved strong academic results and sportspersons who performed well in different disciplines was described as an effort to encourage the younger generation to pursue excellence.

Community representatives said recognition of students and athletes can motivate other young people to work towards academic and sporting achievements. They also expressed appreciation for the minister’s announcement regarding financial assistance for the Dharamshala.

The event was attended by several community representatives and dignitaries, including Subodh Giri, Krishan Sheokand, Shyam Lal Jangra, Surender Kashyap Majri, Krishan Jangra, Deepak Gill, Pundri Municipal Committee Chairperson Babli, Rakesh Pundri, Sultan, Ramchandra Saini, Yashpal Numberdar, Subedar Major Jaiveer Singh, Prem Mirzapur, Rajendra Singh, former sarpanch Harpal Singh and Sunel Bhagmal, among others.

The gathering concluded with an emphasis on the teachings of Goswami Tulsidas, social harmony, discipline, education and community development. Speakers encouraged members of the community to preserve their cultural and social values while actively participating in the development of society.

The organisers said the birth anniversary programme was also an opportunity to encourage young people by recognising their achievements and highlighting the importance of education, sports and social responsibility.

The announcement of ₹21 lakh for the Dharamshala construction is expected to support the development of community infrastructure, while the proposed Tulsidas Chowk would provide a public tribute to the contribution of Goswami Tulsidas in Kurukshetra.

The programme ended with the message that the teachings of great saints should not remain confined to ceremonial occasions but should be reflected in everyday life through discipline, social harmony, service, education and collective responsibility.

POD/DESK