PM participates in historic programme marking Veer Bal Diwas at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi
“Veer Bal Diwas is a day of a new
beginning for the nation”
“Veer Bal Diwas will tell us what is India and what is its identity”
“Veer Bal Diwas will remind us of the immense contribution of ten Sikh gurus
and the sacrifice of the Sikh tradition for protecting the honour of the nation”
“Shaheedi Saptah and Veer Bal Diwas is not just a cauldron of emotions but a
source of infinite inspiration”
“On one hand there were heights of terror and religious fanaticism, while on
the other hand, there was the pinnacle of spirituality and kindness to see God
in every human being”
“Any country with such a glorious history must be full of self-confidence and
self-respect however concocted narratives were taught to infuse inferiority”
“There is a need to get free from the narrow interpretation of the past in
order to move forward”
“Veer Bal Diwas is like a life force for the Panch Prans”
“Sikh Guru Parampara is a source of inspiration for the concept of Ek Bharat
Shreshtha Bharat”
“Tradition of ‘Nation First’ of Guru Gobind Singh ji is a huge inspiration for
us”
“New India is correcting the mistakes of the bygone decades by restoring its
long-lost legacy”
The Prime
Minister, Narendra Modi participated in a historic programme marking ‘Veer Bal
Diwas’ at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi today. During the
programme, the Prime Minister attended a ‘Shabad Kirtan’ performed by about
three hundred Baal Kirtanis. The Prime Minister also flagged off a march-past
by about three thousand children in Delhi on this momentous occasion.
On 9th January 2022,
the day of the Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Prime Minister
had announced that 26th December would be observed as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’, to mark
the martyrdom of sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh - Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh
Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji.
Addressing the
gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that India is celebrating the first Veer
Bal Diwas, today. It is a day of a new beginning for the nation when we all
come together to bow our heads for
the sacrifices laid down in the past. “Shaheedi Saptah and Veer Bal Diwas is
not just a cauldron of emotions but a source of infinite inspiration”, the
Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister
said that Veer Bal Diwas will remind us Age does not matter when it comes to
extreme valour and sacrifice. Veer Bal Diwas will remind us of the immense
contribution of ten Sikh gurus and the sacrifice of the Sikh tradition for
protecting the honour of the nation. “Veer Bal Diwas will tell us what is India
and what is its identity and every year, Veer Bal Diwas will inspire us to
recognize our past and make our future. This will also remind everyone about
the strength of our young generation”, the Prime Minister Added. The Prime
Minister paid grateful tributes to the Veer Sahibzades, Gurus and Mata Gurjari.
“I consider it to be the good fortune of our government that we got the
opportunity to declare 26th December as Veer Bal Diwas”, he said.
The Prime Minister
pointed out that the thousand-year-old history of the world is filled with
chapters of gruesome cruelty. He mentioned that wherever we come across the
violent faces of cruelty, it is the character of our heroes that overshines
them throughout the pages of history. The Prime Minister recalled that whatever
happened in the wars of Chamkaur and Sirhind can never be forgotten. He further
added that these incidents occurred only three centuries ago on the soil of
this land. “On one hand there was the mighty Mughal Sultanate blinded by
religious fanaticism, while on the other hand there were our Gurus gleaming in
the knowledge and living by the ancient principles of India”, the Prime
Minister continued, “On one hand there were heights of terror and religious
fanaticism, while on the other hand, there was the pinnacle of spirituality and
kindness to see God in every human being. The Prime Minister further informed
that in the midst of all this, the Mughals possessed an army of millions, while
the Veer Sahebzades of Guru had their courage. They did not bow down to the
Mughals even though they were alone. This is when the Mughals walled them in
alive. It is their bravery that has been a source of inspiration for centuries
The Prime Minister
said that any country with such a glorious history must be full of
self-confidence and self-respect however, he lamented, concocted narratives
were taught. and created a sense of inferiority in the country. Despite this
local traditions and society kept these tales of glory alive. The Prime
Minister emphasised the need to get free from the narrow interpretation of the
past in order to move forward. That is why, said the Prime Minister, the
country has taken the pledge of removing all traces of slave mentality in the
Azadi ka Amrit Kaal. “Veer Bal Diwas is like a life force for the Panch Prans”,
the Prime Minister added.
The Prime Minister
also highlighted the importance of determination and bravery of Veer Sahibzade
as they showed the tyranny of Aurangzeb and his people that the young
generation was not ready to buckle under the cruelty and stood firm to protect
the morale of the country. This establishes the role of the young generation in
the destiny of a nation. The Prime Minister said today’s young generation is
also taking India forward with the same determination. This makes the role of
Veer Bal Diwas on every 26th December all the more important, he said.
Paying tribute to
Sikh Guru Parampara the Prime Minister said that it is not just a tradition of
spirituality and sacrifice but also a source of inspiration for the concept of
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. The biggest example is the cosmopolitan and
inclusive character of Sri Guru Granth Sahib where preachings and commentary of
saints from all over India are included. The life journey of Guru Gobind Singh
Ji also exemplifies this trait, the Prime Minister said. Referring to the fact
that ‘Panch Pyare’ came from all parts of the country, the Prime Minister
exuded pride that one of the original Panch Pyara was from Dwarka, land from
where the Prime Minister also hails.
The Prime Minister
said, “Resolution of ‘Rastra Pratham’- country first, was the unshakable
resolve of Guru Gobind Singh Ji”. Modi corroborated the point by recounting the
immense personal sacrifice of his family. “This tradition of ‘Nation First’ is
a huge inspiration for us”, the Prime Minister stressed.
Modi commented that
the future of India's coming generations will depend upon their source of
inspiration. Recounting innumerable examples of inspiring children like Bharat,
Bhakt Pruhlaad, Nachiketa and Dhruv, Bal Ram, Luv-Kush and Bal Krishna, the
Prime Minister said that from ancient times to the modern period brave boys and
girls have been a reflection of India’s valour.
The Prime Minister
said with assurance that the new India is correcting the mistakes of the bygone
decades by restoring its long-lost legacy. Adding that any country is
identified by its principles, the Prime Minister highlighted that when the core
values of a nation go through a transformation, the future of the nation
changes with time. He emphasised that the values of a nation can be preserved
only when the present generations have clarity about the history of the land.
“The youth always seek a role model to learn and find inspiration. That’s the
reason we believe in the ideals of Lord Ram, find inspiration from Gautam
Buddha and Lord Mahavir, and make an attempt to live through the sayings of
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, while also studying the ways of Maharana Pratap and Chhatrapati
Veer Shivaji”, the Prime Minister remarked. Highlighting the culture and
traditions of India that believes in religion and spirituality, the Prime
Minister said that the ancestors of our land gave shape to an Indian culture
that associates with festivals and beliefs. The Prime Minister said that we
need to make that consciousness eternal, and that is why the country is trying
to revive the glory of the history of the freedom struggle during the Azadi ka
Amrit Mahotsav. Work is going on to take the contribution of brave men and
women and the tribal community to every person. He expressed happiness about
the huge participation from every part of the country in the competitions and
events organised for Veer Bal Diwas. He reiterated the need to take the message
of the life of Veer Sahibzadas to the world with full determination.
Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, Chief Minister
of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, and Union Ministers, Hardeep Singh Puri, Arjun
Ram Meghwal, Meenakshi Lekhi were those present on the occasion among other.
Background
The Government is
organising interactive and participative programmes all over the country to
inform and educate the citizens, especially young children, about the story of
the exemplary courage of the Sahibzades. In this endeavour, essay writing, quiz
competitions and other activities will be organised in schools and colleges
across the country. Digital exhibitions will be set up at public places like
railway stations, petrol pumps, airports etc. All over the country, programmes
will be organised where dignitaries will narrate the life story and sacrifice
of the Sahibzades.