What Has PM Modi Done For The Sikh Community? Sikh Welfare/ Langar?

Published By : Admin | February 15, 2024 | 18:25 IST

Sikhism promotes tolerance for different religions, equality, social justice, and service to humanity. Sikhism's core teachings emphasize spiritual devotion and reverence for God, along with applying humility, compassion, honesty, and charity in daily life. Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji could foresee multiple issues our nation faced and advocated for preventing radicalization, promoting gender equality, and protecting the environment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been in reverence for the teachings of Guru Nanak Ji and, in his umpteen addresses to the nation, has reiterated that the contributions of all the Gurus from the Sikh lineage remain unparalleled and cannot be matched up for the upcoming 1000 years. Their sacrifices for attaining the nation's independence are an excellent example of struggle and sacrifice against injustice.

It is through PM Modi that the nation, for the first time since the country's independence, became more aware of the varied forms of sacrifices made by the Sikh community and their countless contributions to sustaining the glory of the nation after partition. Inspired by courage and a sense of duty from the Sikh Gurus, he emulated it into the spirit of the New India.

The last decade has seen several noteworthy initiatives undertaken under his leadership to celebrate and promote the values of Sikhism and augment Sikh welfare. These include the celebration of the 400th Prakash Parv of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, the 550th Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the 350th Prakash Parv of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the exemption of GST on Langar, the building of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, making Sultanpur Lodhi a heritage city, establishing a chair in the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji at a British university, and the provision of facilities for Sikh pilgrims to travel to Pakistan.

The Kartarpur Corridor was opened in November 2019, which proved to be a momentous move towards making it more straightforward for Sikh pilgrims from India to go to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, where Guru Nanak Dev Ji lived out his final years. Additionally, the development and preservation of historic Sikh sites has been a particular priority for the PM Modi administration. One example of such a project is the Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib restoration, also known as the Patna Sahib Gurudwara, which is extremely sacred to Sikhs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi facilitated efforts to provide justice and closure for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots by creating a SIT, reopening 300 cases, and imprisoning those found guilty. PM Modi brought the Jallianwala Bagh memorial back to its former splendour and gave 3,328 victim families financial support of Rs. 5 lakh apiece. Through the "Citizenship Amendment Act," the Sikh sisters and brothers who had been subjected to torture in Afghanistan and Pakistan were allowed to get citizenship.

In 2022, December 26 was declared by the Modi government as Veer Baal Diwas, symbolic of the resolve to do anything to protect Bhartiyata. This day will be remembered by every Indian as a mark of respect for the bravery principles lived up to by the four Veer Sahibzades of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

As a diaspora diplomacy specialist, PM Modi has also engaged the Sikh diaspora as "bridge-builders" between India and adopted countries. His clarity of vision in tapping them to further economic, financial, and global benefits for India has undeniably benefitted India. Veer Bal Diwas programs are now held in the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, and Greece. Veer Bal Diwas is now observed on a global scale. It is due to PM Modi's persistent efforts that the Indian Sikh diaspora is more valued now as a unique force in world culture and revered as brand ambassadors of India.

Last but not least, under his regime, copies of Guru Granth Sahib reached India from Afghanistan, and the nation received the privilege of seeing three 'Swaroop' of Guru Granth Sahib ji that arrived in Delhi from Kabul. The Sikh tradition is the best example of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' and explains PM Modi's close affiliation with the values this religion upholds. Welfare for all will naturally be taken care of.

Explore More
140 crore Indians have taken a collective resolve to build a Viksit Bharat: PM Modi on Independence Day

Popular Speeches

140 crore Indians have taken a collective resolve to build a Viksit Bharat: PM Modi on Independence Day
India's 'Make In India' Defence Push Gains Momentum As France Shows Interest

Media Coverage

India's 'Make In India' Defence Push Gains Momentum As France Shows Interest
NM on the go

Nm on the go

Always be the first to hear from the PM. Get the App Now!
...
PM Modi’s Vision Fuels Delhi’s Development
April 12, 2024

“Delhi has the good fortune to get an opportunity of keeping the flag of nations' prestige flying high.”
- PM Narendra Modi as Delhi prepared to host the G20 Summit

The last ten years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government have set in motion the creation of a New India—from rural to urban, from water to electricity, from houses to health, from education to employment, from castes to classes—a comprehensive plan bringing growth and prosperity to each doorstep.

The National Capital Territory of Delhi has emerged as a pivotal part of this dynamic developmental momentum spearheaded by PM Modi throughout this transformative decade.

The city has been at the heart of the infrastructural shift that has given a dedicated facelift to the entire nation. Today infrastructural marvels like Atal Setu, Chenab Bridge, Statue of Unity, and Zojila Tunnel dot India’s ever-evolving landscape.

With its focus on revamping transportation networks, upgrading urban amenities, and expanding digital infrastructure, the Modi government has launched an array of transformative initiatives. From railways, highways to airports, these initiatives have been key in galvanising inclusive and sustainable development across the length and breadth of the country.

The impressive expansion of the metro rail network has revolutionised urban commuting in India. From a mere 5 cities in 2014, the metro rail network now serves 21 cities across the nation—expanding from 248 km in 2014 to 945 km by 2024, with 919 km of lines under construction in 26 additional cities.

The Union Cabinet has recently approved two new corridors of Delhi Metro Phase-IV—Lajpat Nagar to Saket G-Block and Inderlok to Indraprastha. Both the lines have a combined length of over 20 kms with a project cost of over Rs. 8,000 crore (funding being sourced from the Union Govt, Govt of Delhi, and international agencies). The Inderlok- Indraprastha line will play a significant role in enhancing connectivity to the Bahadurgarh region of Haryana. Additionally, India’s first Namo Bharat train, operating on the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor further underlines the Modi government’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and upgrading its transportation infrastructure.

Further, the Bharatmala Pariyojana envisages improved logistics efficiency and connectivity via the development of nearly 35,000 km of National Highway corridors. 25 greenfield high-speed corridors have been planned under the plan out of which four intersect with Delhi’s growing infra capacity: Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, Delhi-Saharanpur-Dehradun Expressway, and the Urban Extension Road-II. The total project length sanctioned for Delhi is 203 km with an allocation of over Rs. 18,000 crore.

Over the past decade, the Modi government has consistently dedicated efforts towards augmenting capacity and decongestion of airports. After the IGI Airport Delhi became the first airport in the country to have four runways and an elevated taxiway, the expanded state-of-the-art Terminal 1 has also been inaugurated recently. In addition, the upcoming Noida International Airport (Jewar) shall further contribute to decongestion of the Delhi airport which is serving millions of passengers annually.

Besides, the inauguration of the New Parliament has further added civilisational yet modern connotations to the city’s landscape. Inauguration of the Yashobhoomi (India International Convention & Expo Centre) has given Delhi India’s largest convention and exhibition centre, offering a mixed purpose tourism experience. Along with Yashobhoomi, the Bharat Mandapam, a world-class convention and exhibition centre, showcases India to the world.

In terms of welfare, the Modi government has launched several schemes benefitting people hitherto on the margins of growth and development. Women’s safety in Delhi has been a key concern. To address the same, the Modi government strengthened the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 by increasing the quantum of punishment for rape, including capital punishment for rape of a girlchild below the age of 12.

The Union Home Ministry established a separate Women Safety Division back in 2018. One-stop centers, Sakhi Niwas, Safe City Project, Nirbhaya Fund, SHe-Box, Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences, and Cri-MAC (Crime Multi-Agency Center) among others are significant additions in the government’s campaign towards women safety.

In addition, Swachh Bharat Mission, PM Ujjwala Yojana, PM Matru Vandana Yojana, and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao have further led to the empowerment of Nari Shakti in India.

As India becomes the 3rd largest startup ecosystem in the world, Delhi is also contributing significantly towards this development. Today over 13,000 DPIIT-recognised startups are functioning in Delhi even as the government is promoting self-employment through PM MUDRA Yojana with over 2.3 lakh loans sanctioned worth over Rs. 3,000 crore for FY2023-24 (as on 26.01.2024).

PM SVANidhi, which provides collateral free loans to street vendors, is supporting over 1.67 lakh beneficiaries in Delhi. Further, under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana, launched in 2020 to incentivise employers for creation of new employment and restoration of loss of employment during Covid-19 pandemic, over 2.2 lakh employees benefitted in Delhi.

Further, nearly 30,000 houses have been sanctioned and completed in Delhi under PM Awas Yojana (Urban).

Air pollution has been a recurring problem for the people of Delhi. Conscious of this reality, the central government has launched the National Clean Air Programme as a national level strategy to reduce air pollution level across the country.

The Modi government's tenure over the last decade has brought about a remarkable transformation in Delhi across various fronts. From infrastructure development to governance reforms, from education to employment, the government's initiatives have left an indelible mark on the capital city. As Delhi continues on its journey of progress and development, the contributions of the Modi government are set to shape its future trajectory for years to come.