GURDASPUR: The Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday made a slew of historical announcements for the Christian community including setting up of a Chair at University level for the study of bible.
In his address here on the occasion of a State level function to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Jesus Christ, the Chief Minister while extending his greetings, said that Christian community would be given due representation in the state government boards.
Speaking on the issues raised by the Christian community, Channi said that the problem of graveyards would be resolved in the districts where the community has a presence. "The land for graveyards would be provided where it is not available but the community has a sizeable presence", said Channi adding community hall would be constructed in each district in order to enable the community to hold functions there.
The Deputy Chief Minister S. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on the occasion extended warm greetings to the community and advocated following the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ.
On the occasion, the Cabinet Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa extending his good wishes said that every religion and their spiritual leaders emphasize upon the principles of mutual coexistence and universal brotherhood. Lauding the Christian community has contributed a lot in the health and education sectors and the religion has spread throughout the globe due to its selfless nature.
The MLA from Gurdaspur and Chairman MILKFED Barindermeet Singh Pahra thanked the Chief Minister for holding the State level celebrations at Gurdaspur. He said that the Chief Minister has made major announcements aimed at the welfare of the community and has attended the occasion as the humble devotee.
The Cabinet Minister Aruna Chaudhary and MLA from Qadian Fatehjung Singh Bajwa also extended their greetings.
The Chairman Christian Welfare Board, Punjab Salamat Masih expressed gratitude to the Punjab Government for choosing Gurdaspur as the place for holding this state level function thus bestowing a great honour on the community. He said that the State Government is fully committed to the overall prosperity of the community and the decision to set up a Chair for the study of Holy Bible deserves appreciation. He thanked all the religious leaders, clergy and the entire community for congregating in large numbers from across the State.
The occasion also saw a cake cutting ceremony jointly by the present Ministers, MLAs and the community leaders.
The Chief Minister was also honoured by the leaders of the community with Holy Bible.
Earlier, Father John George led the prayers and Daniel Raju Desari who had specially arrived from Delhi, read the message from Holy Bible. The volunteers of Centre Corpus Gurdaspur and Macrobert Hospital in Dhariwal sang Christian hymns.
Among others present on the occasion included Chairman Gurmeet Singh Pahra, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Rahul, Assistant Commissioner (General) Gurdaspur Amandeep Kaur, President Municipal Council Gurdaspur Advocate Baljit Singh Pahra, Vice Chairman Christian Welfare Board Punjab Tarsem Sahota, President District Congress Committee Darshan Mahajan, President Mahila Mandal Amandeep Kaur Randhawa, Chairman Sucha Singh Ramnagar, Daniel Raju Desari, Father William Sahota, Father John George, Major Sulakkhan Amritsar, Major Robin Gurdaspur, Major Vijaypal Dera Baba Nanak, Major Thomas Batala, Major Gurcharan Mukerian, Major William Masih, and community leader Roshan Joseph.