Chandigarh---   The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today held detailed parleys with the members of the Board especially constituted for the celebrations of Parkash Divas of Bhagwan Valmeki ji- the creator of legendary epic Ramayana and the great scholar of Sanskrit, during a state level function to be organized at Amritsar on October 18. The meeting was convened to elicit their views to make this historic event as a memorable and mega occasion.

       Presiding over a meeting here at Chief Minister’s residence this evening, Mr. Badal asked the members of the board to extend invitation to all the prominent religious leaders associated with Valmeki community in order to disseminate his teaching amongst the society, which were aimed at the creation of an egalitarian society.Mr. Badal also apprised the board members that the foundation stone of Rs. 115 crore prestigious Bhagwan Valmeki ji’s shrine would be laid in the presence of great saints and seers who were likely to converge there on this mega event.

The Chief Minister also approved the design and pattern of the advertisements/hoardings to be inserted in the Newspapers and put up on the strategic locations in all the districts on campaign basis from October 11-18 in consultation with board members Prominent among others who were present in the meeting included the Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mr. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike and Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur (both Cabinet Ministers), Advisor to the Chief Minister on Media and National Affairs Mr. Harcharan Bains, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mr. SS Channy besides the members of the board including Mr. Hans Raj Hans, Mr. Vijay Danav, Mr. Randhir Gill, Mr. DP Khosla, Mr. Naresh Dhingan, Mr. Raj Kumar Atikay, Mr. Rakesh Kumar Gill, Mr. Kewal Krishan and Mr. Om Parkash Gabbar.