Headlining an event in the national capital to mark ‘Veer Bal Diwas’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 26, noted how fellow Indians were taking pride in the country’s heritage saying that the world, today, is viewing the country in a different light.
Advancing his vision of a new India, PM Modi said the country now has more confidence and belief in its people as well as their potential, dreams and aspirations.
Addressing the event to mark the martyrdom of the two sons of Sikh Guru Sri Gobind Singh, Prime Minister Modi said, “‘Veer Bal Diwas’ represents and symbolises a national urge to safeguard and carry forward the idea of Bharatiyata.” “This year, America, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, the UAE and Greece have organised programmes related to ‘Veer Bal Diwas’,” PM Modi added.
“Even as we are taking pride in our national heritage, the world has started looking at us differently. The India of today has more confidence in the confidence, ability, and potential of its people,” PM Modi added.
“We don’t have even a second to waste. The (Sikh) gurus gave us these teachings. Our life’s mission should be to restore and safeguard our nation’s pride and glory. We need to live for the betterment of the country,” PM Modi said.
Addressing a programme on Veer Baal Diwas. https://t.co/GHK0Btr4WL
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 26, 2023
PM Modi on the day of the Prakash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh, on January 9, 2022, had declared that December 26 will be marked as ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ to pay homage to the courage of the ‘Sahibzades’– the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh.
The martyrdom of Mata Gujri, Guru Gobind Singh Ji and their four Sahibzadas inspires every Indian, he said. After his address at the event, Prime Minister Modi flagged off a youth march to mark ‘Veer Baal Diwas’.
On the day of the Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, on January 9, 2022, Prime Minister Modi announced that December 26 would be marked every year as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’, to mark the martyrdom of his sons Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji.
Home Minister Amit Shah on December 26, remembered the sacrifice of last Sikh guru- Guru Gobind Singh’s four sons on the occasion of ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ and mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spread the saga of their sacrifice to every corner of the country and the world.
Remembering their unmatched valour, Shah also said the sacrifice will continue to inspire generations to come.
“On Veer Bal Diwas, I bow to Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s four Sahibzade and Mata Gujri Ji. With supreme courage they stood against the brutal Mughal rule and chose martyrdom, refusing to convert. Their unmatched valor will continue to inspire generations to come. Proclaiming their Martyrdom Day as Veer Bal Diwas, Prime Minister Modi Ji has spread the saga of their sacrifice to every corner of the country and the world,” Shah posted on ‘X’, formerly Twitter.
On Veer Bal Diwas, I bow to Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s four Sahibzade and Mata Gujri Ji. With supreme courage they stood against the brutal Mughal rule and chose martyrdom, refusing to convert. Their unmatched valor will continue to inspire generations to come.
Proclaiming their… pic.twitter.com/1YtlM0GoCo— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 26, 2023
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also paid tribute to the valor of the Guru’s sons, “I join members of the Sikh Sangat in India & around the world to thank PM Sh @narendramodi Ji for honouring the sentiments of our entire community to honour the valour, courage & shahadat of our Chaar Sahibzaade at a young age, & declare 26 December as #VeerBaalDiwas” the Minister posted on X.
I join members of the Sikh Sangat in India & around the world to thank PM Sh @narendramodi Ji for honouring the sentiments of our entire community to honour the valour, courage & shahadat of our Chaar Sahibzaade at a young age, & declare 26 December as #VeerBaalDiwas… pic.twitter.com/Brmdk9RdbN
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) December 26, 2023
The Government would also organise participatory programmes all over the country to inform and educate the citizens, especially young children, about the exemplary courage of the Sahibzades (the two young Khalsas who are commemorated on this day).
A digital exhibition detailing the life story and sacrifice of the Sahibzades will be displayed in schools and childcare institutions across the country. A film on ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ will also be screened nationwide.
Various online competitions, including interactive quiz shows, will be organised through the MYBharat and MyGov portals.
While all four sons of Guru Gobind Singh were martyred, the date is observed as the martyrdom day of the Sahibzadas– Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh who are said to have been martyred at the tender ages of six and nine in Sirhind (Punjab) by Mughal forces on the orders of the then ruler Aurangzeb.
The place where the sons of the last Sikh Guru were buried alive is today’s Fatehgarh Sahib. The Sikhs respect the sons of the 10th Guru as warriors who are usually referred to as Sahibzadas.
(with inputs from ANI)
