Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Badal today greeted people of Punjab and Punjabis living in different parts of India and abroad for Baisakhi, which "symbolizes the spirit of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat".
In a message issued on the eve of Baisakhi, which is celebrated on March 13, the chief minister pointed out that on this sacred day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh had created the 'Order of Khalsa' at Anandpur Sahib by baptizing 'Panj Pyaras' (beloved ones) belonging to different regions and religions, thereby carving out a casteless society and preaching the gospels of love and compassion for mankind, universal brotherhood and communal harmony.
Badal also said that this festival marked the beginning of the harvest season.
Sukhbir Badal said that the massacre of hundreds of innocent Punjabis by the British at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar on this day in 1919 proved the last nail in the coffin of British rule in India.
He called upon the people to "celebrate this festival collectively and utilise this day to pay our gratitude to all those known and unknown freedom fighters who laid down their lives so that we all can breathe in freedom."
{{/usCountry}}He called upon the people to "celebrate this festival collectively and utilise this day to pay our gratitude to all those known and unknown freedom fighters who laid down their lives so that we all can breathe in freedom."
{{/usCountry}}Revenue and public relations minister Bikram Singh Majithia also extended his greetings to people.