Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that as many as 5,52,677 students from nearly 4,500 schools across the state have participated in school-level competitions being organised as part of the year-long celebrations marking the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj. The competitions, running from May to October 2026, include quizzes, painting, essay writing and debates aimed at connecting youth with the teachings of equality, social harmony and justice propagated by the great saint.
Disclosing this, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that the school-level competitions aim to familiarise students with the life, teachings and philosophy of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj and to inspire them to follow the ideals of equality, social harmony, fraternity and justice.
The Minister said that various activities, including online and offline quizzes, painting competitions, essay-writing competitions and debates, are being organised for students. A pledge to uphold constitutional values and promote an egalitarian society also forms part of these activities.
Mr. Sond said that the teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj continue to hold immense relevance in contemporary society, particularly his message of equality, human dignity and freedom from social discrimination. Through these competitions, students are being encouraged to understand and imbibe these universal values and contribute towards building an inclusive and harmonious society.
The Minister further said that the participation of over 5.5 lakh students reflects the extensive reach of the school-level initiative. The programme seeks to connect the younger generation with Punjab's rich spiritual and cultural heritage while encouraging them to express their understanding of the teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj through knowledge, creativity and constructive dialogue.
He added that the Punjab Government is commemorating the 650th Parkash Purab through year-long programmes at various levels to ensure widespread public participation and to spread the message of the revered Guru among all sections of society.
The Minister urged students and educational institutions to participate enthusiastically in the celebrations and take inspiration from the teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj to uphold the values of equality, brotherhood and social justice.
