Punjab Minister meets Prahlad Patel, seeks heritage status for Dera Baba Nanak, Batala

Punjab Minister for Tourism and Cultural Affairs Charanjit Singh Channi urged Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel on Thursday to release Rs 100 crore for the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak.

Channi, who called upon Patel at his office in Transport Bhawan, also demanded that Dera Baba Nanak and Batala, where Guru Nanak spent a significant time of his life, be declared as heritage townships.

The Union government should release the fund on priority bases so that all arrangements are made well in advance, Channi said as he extended an invitation to the Union Minister for Tourism and Culture to the celebrations.

Channi said both the townships were as much linked to the journey of Guru Nanak's life as were Sultanpur Lodhi and Sri Kartarpur Sahib. He also demanded Rs 400 crore for the development work to be undertaken for both these historically important cities.

He suggested that the Sahitya Akademi work in collaboration with the state government for the celebration programmes so that the philosophy and messages of Guru Nanak of universal brotherhood, tolerance and compassion should be disseminated all over the world.

Patel informed that the National Book Trust is already in the process of translating the teaching of the great Guru in other regional languages of India.

The Union minister assured Channi of the wholesome support from the Centre and that the proposal will be considered on priority basis.