JALANDHAR:  The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today called for 'a culture of conscious, cordiality and understanding' among political parties.  Badal strongly decried 'the growing trends towards political confrontation, as witnessed in Punjab in recent years.

The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering at a function organised by Shri Ram Navmi Utsav Committee, Jalandhar to honour the representatives of various Ram Lila and Dussehra Committees of the state here this after noon.

Badal said that the tendency among some political leaders to place personal agenda alone people's welfare had already resulted in considerable wastage of national time and energy and it is time to get back to an atmosphere where personal relations are befit free from political differences.

The Chief Minister also called for the consolidation of the atmosphere of peace and communal harmony in the state and work with full dedication to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood between all sections of the society to begin an era of world's exemplary peace, amity and multi dimensional growth in the country.

The Chief Minister said that Lord Sri Ram had showed us the path of ideal and virtuous living to carve out a prosperous and harmonious society. He said that to bring 'Ram Raj' back every one should follow the teachings of Lord Sri Ram in the real spirit, which were still relevant in the present materialistic society besides redeeming the mankind from the yoke of evils.   He said that pious occasions like Ramnaumi, and Dussehra not only promote a sense of communal harmony and mutual understanding amongst the people but also showers joy and prosperity on them. He also appealed the people to celebrate these sacred days in unison and with religious fervour and gaiety rising above the petty considerations of caste, creed and religion.

Earlier, Badal paid obeisance to Lord Sri Ram by lighting a holy lamp in front of  Lord Sri Rama's portrait and honoured the representatives of various Ram Lila and Dussehra Committees of the state. On this occasion  Vijay Chopra, Chief Editor, Hind Samachar Group of News Papers presented a memento to the Chief Minister.

Amongst others who attended the function included Medical Education Minister . Tiksan Sood, Revenue Minister Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar, Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal, Technical Education Minister Chaudhary Swarna Ram, Media Advisor to the Chief Minister  Harcharan Bains, Mr. Swarn Singh Phillour and Avinash Chander both  Chief Parliamentary Secretary,  Balramji Dass Tandon,  Kamal Chaudhary,  Maninder Singh Bitta former Minister and   Iqbal Singh former Member Parliament beside former leader of the opposition  Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Baba Kashmira Singh Ji.