CHANDIGARH:The Punjab Government has decided to organize a state level function at Malerkotla on January 17 to observe the Kukas' Martyrdom Day.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of Kuka Martyrs Memorial Committee presided by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here on Tuesday at CMO this morning. 

Disclosing this  a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that it was also decided in the meeting to organize another state level function to commemorate the birthday of Satguru Ram Singh ji at village Rayia in district Ludhiana on February 11 as a part of year long celebrations of 150 years of Kuka Movement.  

The committee also decided to invite the Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh to preside over the event keeping in view its national importance. The Chief Minister would personally extend a formal invitation to the Prime Minister to preside over the function.  

The Chief Minister also assured the members of the Kuka Martyrs Memorial Trust to take up the matter with Speaker Lok Sabha for the installation of portrait of Satguru Ram Singh ji in the Lok Sabha.  The Chief Minister directed the Chief Secretary to take up the matter with Vice Chancellors of Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar and Punjabi University Patiala to organize seminars/symposiums on the life and works of Satguru Ram Singh to perpetuate his teachings and philosophy amongst the younger generation.  

The spokesman further said that another meeting of Bhaini Sahib Rayia Development Board was chaired by Mr.Badal to develop Rayia as a model village to pay befitting tributes to Satguru Ram Singh.  The Chief Minister asked the Principal Secretary Health to put up a proposal for setting up of 25 bedded hospital at Bhaini Sahib to provide basic health care facilities to the people.   Mr.Badal assured the members of the board that the state government would provide basic civic amenities of drinking water and sewerage to the residents of the near by villages besides upgrading the different link roads to Rayia and Bhaini Sahib.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government was committed to the all round development of the historical villages of Rayia and Bhaini sahib which have been associated with India's freedom struggle and the Kuka Movement.  

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