Chandigarh is buzzing with anticipation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to visit Jalandhar, Punjab, for the 649th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Ravidas. Delhi Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa expressed the sentiments of the entire state, stating that Punjab is eagerly awaiting the Prime Minister’s arrival.
Speaking to the media, Sirsa highlighted the deep emotional bond PM Modi shares with Guru Ravidas and the people of Punjab. ‘All preparations are in place, and the whole state is looking forward to this historic visit,’ he said. The Prime Minister will land at Adampur Airport, setting the stage for a significant religious and cultural event.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has amplified the excitement by demanding that Adampur Airport be renamed after Shri Guru Ravidas. In a post on X, Mann noted that the people of Punjab would forever be grateful for this gesture. This call underscores the reverence for Guru Ravidas, a 15th-century saint-poet whose teachings on equality and devotion resonate deeply across communities.
During the visit, PM Modi will make a special stop at Dera Sachkhand Ballan, a prominent spiritual center in the Doaba region, located about 13 kilometers from Jalandhar in Ballan village. He is scheduled to meet Sant Niranjan Das, the revered leader of the dera who has been honored with the Padma Shri award. The dera holds immense influence in Punjab’s religious landscape, drawing millions of devotees annually.
Adding to the flurry of developments, PM Modi will virtually inaugurate the Halwara International Airport in Ludhiana’s Etiana on February 1. This state-of-the-art facility, equipped with HWR, ICAO code VIHL, and IATA code, is poised to handle Boeing 737-700 and Airbus 320 aircraft. Initial flights by Air India and Vistara to Delhi are planned, marking a new era for Punjab’s aviation infrastructure.
The airport’s launch is hailed as a historic milestone, promising to boost investments, create jobs, and ease pressure on existing airfields. Industrial hubs around Ludhiana stand to benefit immensely from this modern aviation gateway, fostering economic growth and connectivity. Attendees at the virtual event will include Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, MPs from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and MLAs.
As Punjab gears up for these landmark events, the visits symbolize not just religious homage but also a commitment to development and cultural pride. The state hopes these initiatives will pave the way for progress and unity.
