Holiday on Kabir Jayanti

Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand today said Coalition Government is working on the roadmap for all out development of all regions and sub-regions of the State and exemplary steps have been taken for ushering the State into a new era of development and progress.

He described Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA), Sher-e-Kashmir Welfare and Employment Programme for the Youth (SKEWPY) and strengthened Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), as some of the landmark initiatives taken by the Government in the last three years for the welfare of the people.

Mr. Tara Chand was addressing a public rally cum convention at Marh.

Minister of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Taj Mohi-ud-Din and Minister of State for Co-operatives, Industries and Commerce Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma also addressed the gathering. Ex-MLA Balwan Singh conducted proceedings of the rally.

Among others the function was attended by Director, ULB, Jammu F.C Bhagat, Commissioner, JMC Kuldip Lal Khajuria, Chief Engineer, PWD, PHE and PDD and other senior sectoral officers of various departments.

Recalling contributions of Mahatma Gandhi in promoting Panchayati Raj, the Deputy Chief Minister said successful Panchayat elections have proven the commitment of the Government for strengthening grass root democracy in the State. He said the Government has gone step further, by devolution of power to the Panchayats and empowering these institutions for required development of respective areas.

On the occasion, a number of demands were projected for sympathetic consideration of the Government, which inter alia include, Kabir Jayanti holiday, special recruitment drive for border area of Marh and de-silting of irrigation canals.

Responding to the vociferous demand of holiday on the Kabir Jayanti, Mr. Tara Chand informed that in Cabinet meeting prior to the budget cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah the long pending demand has been addressed and the cabinet has agreed to declare it as restricted holiday.

"Recognizing the contributions of great Bhakti movement saint Bhagat Kabir, for establishing an egalitarian society, the State Government has accepted demand of the community for holiday on Kabir Jayanti," he added.

Underscoring commitment of the Government for welfare of downtrodden segments of the society, the Deputy Chief Minister said reservation has been given a legal status and special provision has been kept for these sections in inter-district recruitment in the State, adding that reservation in recruitment for the marginalized would be provided all across the state.

Shoba Yatra of Bhagat Kabir

An impressive Shoba Yatra was taken on the occasion of Nirvan Divas of Bhagat Kabir here today. The Shoba Yatra started from Satwari Chowk and later culminated at Bhagat Kabir Temple, Court Road, Janipur.

Hundreds of devotees drawn from different parts of Jammu participated in the Shoba Yatra, which was taken out by All J&K Kabir Sabha and the members of All J&K Megh Sudhar Sabha also participated in it. The Shoba Yatra after passing via Bikram Chowk, Indira Chowk, Rehari Chungi, Ambphalla, New Plots culminated into a religious congregation at Kabir Temple Old Janipur.

As the Shoba Yatra left the Satwari Chowk the slogans of Jai Kabir-Dhan Kabir rented the air. The Shoba Yatra was led by ex Minister Mula Ram and president of the Sabha F C Bhagat.

The devotees of Sant Kabir attired in colorful costumes and riding on tractor trolleys and two wheelers took part in Shoba Yatra. They were reciting the Dhohas of Sant Kabir, an apostle of peace and brotherhood enroute.

Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand who was the chief guest at Janipur function while paying rich tributes to Sant Kabir said the message of great saints have humanistic values and promote peace and mutual co-existence.

Urging the people to follow the path shown by great saints, he said the teachings of Sant Kabir are more relevant today. He described Bhagat Kabir a great saint of Bhakti movement and said his teachings have universal appeal.

MLA Chenani, Krishan Chand Bhagat, M L A RS Pura, Prof Garu Ram Bhagat, ex Minister Mula Ram, Special Secretary, Planning G R Bhagat and president of the Sabha F C Bhagat, also attended the function.

Dina Nath and Baski Ram of Kotli Shah Doula also gave the religious discourses. The State and district office bearers of the Sabha paid rich tributes to the Sant Kabir on the occasion.

A resolution was moved by F C Bhagat demanding that Kabir Jayanti be declared as Gazetted Holiday and it was passed with one voice by the gathering.

Mr Bhagat appealed the gathering to extend all support to the Sabha so that the dream of Sant Kabir is realized.

He also highlighted the achievements of the Sabha saying it is providing financial assistance to 500 meritorious students, besides it is giving appreciation letters to those community members who are selected in KAS and MBBS.

Bhagat Mahasabha organized another function at village Bala Chak, R S Pura in which thousands of devotees took part and paid their obeisance to Bhagat Kabir. A Satsang and Kirtan was held by Swami Milkhi Ram Bhagat of Gorda Waley. While singing the Shabad, Dohe, and Sakhian of Sant Kabir, Swami Ji asked the Sangat to follow the teachings of this great saint. He said only his teachings can bring Megh community out of backwardness.

He said the children should be made aware about the teachings of this great saint. The Sangat demanded declaration of Kabir Jayanti as gazetted holiday.

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Kabir Jayanti celebrated in Jammu

The 613th Parkash Utsav of Bhagat Kabir was celebrated with religious fervor and gaiety throughout the Jammu region today. The functions were held in Kabir temples at different places in the region.

A grand function was organized by Bhagat Mahasabha, J&K Unit, here, at Parade in which a large number of devotees participated.

Besides Jammu province, the devotees in large number from the states of Punjab, Rajasthan, UP, Haryana, Chhatisgarh, Himachal and Chandigarh also participated in the function.

National president of the Bhagat Mahasabha Raj Kumar was the chief guest on the occasion while the SSP Jammu, Basant Rath, was the guest of honour.

The speakers exhorted the masses to follow the teachings of Sadgaru Kabir. On the occasion a Satsang by Swami Milkhi Ram Bhagat of Godra on the life and teachings of Bhagat Kabir was also held.

Swami Ji impressed upon the masses to inculcate the spiritual and moral values among the children, youth and others to free the society from all evils like drug addiction, smoking, drinking and dowry system etc. This will lead to upliftment of society and mankind, he added.

On the occasion the newly selected KAS, KPS, IFS, IAS candidates were honoured. Besides the doctors and engineers selected for post graduation courses in open merit, the candidates who got PhDs and the students who secured 90 percent or more marks in 8th, 10 th and 12 classes were also felicitated.

On the occasion devotional songs were sung by the renowned singers from Punjab who enthralled the devotees. The speakers also highlighted the importance of the day and demanded that Kabir Jayanti be declared as a gazetted holiday as this will be a great tribute to the great saint of medieval period.

Others who spoke included Bodh Raj Bhagat, president of the Sabha, Dr Rajesh Bhagat, O P Bhagat, Mohinder Bhagat, Tara Chand Bhagat, Bharat Bhushan Bhagat, Vijay Bhagat, Ex MLA Bali Bhagat, Sheela Bhagat, Chanchalla Bhagat and Daya Ram.

In addition to this All J&K Sadgaru Kabir Sabha Jammu held functions at various places in connection with celebration of Kabir Jayanti.

A Shabeel was installed at Janipur to serve cold water and light refreshment to passers by. A grand function was held in Sadguru Kabir temple Reasi on the occasion also. A large number of devotees drawn from different parts of the district paid their obeisance in the temple. The religious discourses on the teachings of Bhagat Kabir were also held on the occasion and Bhajan and Kirtan continued for the day.

Hundreds of the devotees thronged the Bhagat Kabir temple Utterbani in Samba district today to pay obeisance to Sant Kabir. Besides the Satsangh, Bhajan and Kirtan was also held.

Another grand function was held at Sunderbani in Rajouri district on the occasion of Kabir Jayanti today. Besides the Satsang and Bhajan Kirtan, the teachings of Satguru were also highlighted by religious scholars.