Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 13 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday paid floral tribute to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray on the occasion of Guru Purnima.

New Delhi [India], July 13 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended greetings on the occasion of Guru Purnima and prayed for India to be taken to "newer heights" with the blessings of the Gurus.

New Delhi [India], April 29 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday underlined the contribution of the Sikh community before and after the independence and said that neither the "Indian history is complete without them, nor is the country".

New Delhi Apr 21 PTI India has never posed a threat to any country or society and it thinks for the welfare of the entire world even today amid global conflicts Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday asserting the country is following the ideals of Sikh gurusAddressing an event from the Red Fort to celebrate the 400th birth anniversary of Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur Modi said the Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib near the Red Fort stands as a symbol of the sacrifice of Guru Tegh BahadurHe said India strives for peace with complete stability even amid global conflicts an apparent reference to the Russian offensive in UkraineHailing the Sikh gurus traditions he said Indias freedom from hundreds of years of slavery cannot be separated from its spiritual and cultural journeyCiting the efforts by his government for the community including its decision to observe Veer Bal Diwas on December 26 to commemorate the sacrifice of Guru Gobind Singhs sons Modi said the Citizenship Amendment Act has paved the way for granting citizenship to families of Sikhs and other minorities that have come to India from neighbouring countriesAll this was possible because the Gurus taught us to give primacy to humanity Love and harmony are part of our values said the PM who has been regularly engaging with the Sikh communityThe government has shown its commitment to guru seva by constructing the Kartarpur Sahib corridor for which people had been waiting for decades he saidOur government has also ensured modernisation of rail facilities for Patna Sahib and other places connected with Guru Govind Singh Modi saidWhen it comes to bringing the swaroop of the Guru Granth Sahib our government makes an all-out effort We not only bring the swaroop of the Guru Granth Sahib on our head with respect but we also save our Sikh brothers in danger he said referring to the evacuation exercise from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeoverThe government is making continuous efforts to connect various holy places of the Sikhs he saidThis gurudwara reminds us how great was the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji to protect our great culture At that time there was a storm of religious fanaticism in the countryIndia which considered religion as a matter of philosophy science and self-reflection was facing people who had committed violence and atrocities in the name of religion Modi saidAt that time there was great hope for India to save its identity in the form of Guru Tegh Bahadur he notedIn front of Aurangzebs tyrannical thinking Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji becoming Hind di Chadar stood like a rock Modi said adding the Red Fort is a witness that Aurangzeb and tyrants like him might have beheaded countless people but our faith could not be separated from usGuru Tegh Bahadurs sacrifice has inspired many generations of India to live and die for protecting the dignity of their culture and for honour and respect he saidBig powers have disappeared big storms have calmed down but India still stands immortal and is moving ahead Modi assertedIndia has never posed a threat to any country or society Even today we think for the welfare of the whole world When we talk about self-reliant India we keep the progress of the whole world at the forefrontTodays India strives for peace with complete stability even in the midst of global conflicts India is equally firm on its defence and security he saidThe PM also released a commemorative coin and postage stamp to mark the occasion The programme was focused on highlighting the teachings of the ninth Sikh Guru who sacrificed his life to protect religion human values ideals and principlesGuru Tegh Bahadurs death anniversary is commemorated as Shaheedi Divas every year on November 24 Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib is built at the spot where he was beheaded and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj is his cremation siteHis legacy serves as a great unifying force for the nation Modi saidThe fort was chosen as the venue for the event as it was from here that Aurangzeb had given orders for the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1675 Culture Ministry officials saidThe event saw performances by 400 Sikh musicians and langar was also heldNew thinking hard work and absolute dedication are the identity of Sikhs and this is also the countrys resolve in the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav the prime minister said adding the people have to be proud of their identityWe have to be proud of local products and build a self-reliant India We have to make an India whose strength is seen by the world and which takes the world to new heights he saidAsserting that Guru Granth Sahib the holy book of Sikhs is not only a guide to self-realisation but is also a symbol of Indias diversity and unity Modi said this is why the Indian government deployed its full strength to bring back the holy book from Afghanistan following the strife in the country after the Talibans takeoverAt Patna Sahib in Patna and Rakabganj Sahib in Delhi people see Ek Bharat in the form of the wisdom and blessings of Gurus he saidHe underlined the significance of the Red Fort saying it witnessed the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur and has been a reflection of the history and aspiration of the nationIn this backdrop the programme at this venue assumes great significance Modi saidOur gurus always took the responsibility of society and culture along with knowledge and spirituality They made strength a medium of service he added PTI KRASK KR NSD

New Delhi Apr 21 PTI India has never posed a threat to any country or society and it thinks for the welfare of the entire world even today amid global conflicts Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday asserting the country is following the ideals of Sikh gurusAddressing an event from the Red Fort to celebrate the 400th birth anniversary of Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur Modi said the Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib near the Red Fort stands as a symbol of the sacrifice of Guru Tegh BahadurCiting other efforts made by his government for the community including its decision to observe Veer Bal Diwas on December 20 to commemorate the sacrifice of Guru Gobind Singhs sons Modi said the Citizenship Amendment Act has paved the way for granting citizenship to families of Sikhs and other minorities that have come to India from neighbouring countriesAll this was possible because the Gurus have taught us to give primacy to humanity Love and harmony are part of our values said the prime minister who has been regularly engaging with the Sikh communityThe government has shown its commitment to guru seva by constructing the Kartarpur Sahib corridor for which people had been waiting for decades he saidOur government has also ensured modernisation of rail facilities for Patna Sahib and other places connected with Guru Govind Singh Modi saidWhen it comes to bringing the swaroop of the Guru Granth Sahib our government makes an all-out effort We not only bring the swaroop of the Guru Granth Sahib on our head with respect but we also save our Sikh brothers in danger he said referring to the evacuation exercise from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover of that countryThe government is also making continuous efforts to connect various holy places of the Sikhs he saidThis holy gurudwara reminds us how great was the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji to protect our great culture At that time there was a storm of religious fanaticism in the country India which considered religion as a matter of philosophy science and self-reflection was facing people who had committed violence and atrocities in the name of religion Modi saidAt that time there was great hope for India to save its identity in the form of Guru Tegh Bahadur he notedIn front of Aurangzebs tyrannical thinking Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji becoming Hind di Chadar stood like a rock Modi saidThe Red Fort is a witness that Aurangzeb and tyrants like him might have beheaded countless people but our faith could not be separated from us the prime minister saidThe sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur has inspired many generations of India to live and die for protecting the dignity of their culture and for honour and respect he saidBig powers have disappeared big storms have calmed down but India still stands immortal and is moving ahead Modi assertedIndia has never posed a threat to any country or society Even today we think for the welfare of the whole world amid global conflicts When we talk about a self-reliant India we keep the progress of the whole world in front he saidThe prime minister also released a commemorative coin and postage stamp to mark the occasionThe programme was focused on highlighting the teachings of the ninth Sikh Guru who sacrificed his life to protect religion human values ideals and principlesGuru Tegh Bahadurs death anniversary is commemorated as Shaheedi Divas every year on November 24Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib built at the spot where he was beheaded and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj the site of his cremation in Delhi are associated with his sacrifice His legacy serves as a great unifying force for the nationThe fort was chosen as the venue for the event as it was from here that Aurangzeb had given orders for the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1675 according to Ministry of Culture officialsThe event also saw performances by 400 Sikh musicians and langar was also heldNew thinking hard work and absolute dedication are the identity of Sikhs and this is also the countrys resolve in the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav the prime minister said adding the people have to be proud of their identityWe have to be proud of local products and build a self-reliant India We have to make an India whose strength is seen by the world and which takes the world to new heights he saidAsserting that Guru Granth Sahib the holy book of Sikhs is not only a guide to self-realisation but is also a symbol of Indias diversity and unity Modi said this is why the Indian government deployed its full strength to bring back the holy book from Afghanistan following the strife in the country after the Talibans takeoverPatna Sahib in Patna and Rakabganj Sahib in Delhi everywhere people see Ek Bharat in the form of the wisdom and blessings of Gurus the prime minister said PTI KRASK KR NSD

London [UK], January 9 (ANI): UK-based British Sikh Association has condemned the security breach which occurred during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Ferozepur in Punjab earlier this week.

Chennai Dec 23 PTI Students from various states of India should learn more about Kalakshetra Foundation and there has to be awareness building on the institution which has been recognized by the Centre as an institution of excellence Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday Sitharaman who was here to inaugurate the 68th Art Festival of Kalakshetra Foundation as part of the Centres Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav celebrations said art is an important instrument to tell the strengths of the country to the world It was pleasing to know that there were many students from the North East studying here and quite a few people students from Arunachal Pradesh have come here we need to attract students from the rest of India to come here to study she said Sufficing her point Sitharaman said in places like Kalakshetra Foundation there was a blend of so many things which was available to a student We can have discussions with Gurus with whom we cannot even think of having an one-on-one interactionthere are many big gurus here to teach us and that kind of advantage is not easy to obtainWe need institutions like this and we need students to qualify through such institutions she said Sitharaman called for more awareness building on Kalakshetra Foundation to get people to understand what such a place can impart as education Noting that the countrys fine arts culture were Indias soft power she said it took several years for yoga to get global recognition Art is an important instrument to tell the strengths of India to the world and institutions like Kalakshetra Foundation should talk more on that so that India is better seen better recognized globally she said Sitharaman offered her support to Kalakshetra Foundation for its growth and added that the Centre recognized it as an Institute of Excellence It is not only that this institution is going to be a National Institute of Importance Calling for more support from the younger generation Sitharaman said several young minds should also contribute to this institution and it is not just business of elders to talk about fine arts Today many youngsters have come with many new ideas on how to use technology to promote Promotion through technology is very important to reach out to more audience she said Sitharaman said Rukmini Devi Arundale who founded the Kalakshetra Foundation besides teaching dancing also introduced textiles weaving which has made a mark in the handloom sector today Discerning buyers do recognize what you have Kalakshetra Foundation textiles and these are all Indias traditional strength indigenously grown strength We need to encourage this she said PTI VIJ BN BN

Lalitpur [Nepal], November 19 (ANI): The week-long dance-drama festival known as Kartik Naach, celebrated every year in Nepal came to an end with a rhythmic play at Main Square in front of the Patan Palace on Thursday.