Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann Lays Foundation of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Bani Adhyayan Centre in Jalandhar

August 10, 2026

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann laid the foundation stone of the Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Bani Adhyayan Centre at Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar, marking a significant step towards preserving, studying and spreading the teachings and philosophy of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj.

The foundation ceremony was held in the presence of Padam Shri Sant Niranjan Dass Ji of Dera Sachkhand Ballan and members of the Sant Samaj.
The centre is being developed over 10.4 acres at an estimated cost of ₹37 crore. The Punjab Government will bear the expenditure required for construction, while ₹11 crore has already been spent on land and ₹60 lakh on necessary permissions.

Centre to Become a Hub for Students and Researchers

The proposed institution will provide a dedicated academic environment for children, students, teachers and research scholars interested in studying the life, sacred Bani, philosophy and social teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj.

The planned infrastructure includes a three-storey Administration and Teaching Block, separate three-storey boys’ and girls’ hostels with accommodation for 54 students each, and a residential facility for teachers and other staff.

The centre is envisioned as a platform where scholars can undertake detailed research into Guru Ravidass Ji’s teachings and help carry his message of equality, compassion and human dignity to audiences across the world.

Foundation Laid During 650th Parkash Purab Celebrations

The project forms part of the Punjab Government’s year-long celebrations commemorating the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj.
The state government has earmarked ₹100 crore for the celebrations, which include a range of programmes aimed at taking Guru Ji’s teachings to people across Punjab.

As part of the initiative, 50 mobile vans are travelling through all 23 districts, screening documentaries on the life, philosophy and teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji. The campaign is expected to cover around 13,000 villages.

‘Education is Key to Empowerment’

The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh linked the new centre with his government’s broader emphasis on education. He said education is among the most effective tools for addressing poverty and social inequality and argued that providing quality education to children from ordinary families can create opportunities for long-term economic and social advancement.

Mann said the government is working to improve educational infrastructure and ensure that children receive opportunities irrespective of their economic background.

Punjab Government Highlights School Education Progress

The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh also highlighted what he described as improvements in Punjab’s school education system. Citing government data, he said Punjab had moved from a low ranking in school education to the top position, and claimed that the state had surpassed  Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi in the cited primary and middle-school education indicators. He also pointed to the rising number of students from government schools qualifying for the NEET examination.

According to Mann, the number increased from 80 students in 2021 to 881 students in 2026, which he described as the highest-ever achievement by Punjab’s government schools.

Guru Ravidass Ji’s Vision of an Egalitarian Society

Speaking about the historical significance of Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj, the Chief Minister said his Bani challenged social inequality and promoted a vision of society based on equality and human dignity.

Guru Ravidass Ji’s teachings emerged during a period marked by deep social divisions and questioned practices that treated people differently based on caste and status.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh said the Guru’s vision of a society free from discrimination continues to offer inspiration for building a more inclusive and compassionate social order.

50 Mobile Vans to Take Guru Ji’s Message to Villages

The Punjab Government’s 650th Parkash Purab programme has been designed to reach people beyond major cities.
Through the deployment of 50 mobile documentary-screening vans, the government plans to take the life and teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj to villages throughout Punjab.

The campaign will cover all 23 districts and approximately 13,000 villages, with the aim of familiarising people, particularly younger generations, with Guru Ji’s spiritual and social philosophy.

Sant Samaj and Ministers Attend Foundation Ceremony

The foundation-laying ceremony was attended by several members of the Sant Samaj, including Padam Shri Sant Niranjan Dass Ji, Sant Pargat Nath Ji, Sant Pardeep Dass Ji, Sant Teja Singh Ji, Sant Nirmal Dass Ji and Sant Lekh Raj Ji.

Several Punjab Cabinet ministers and elected representatives were also present, including Harpal Singh Cheema, Aman Arora, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, Mohinder Bhagat, Dr Ravjot Singh, Harbhajan Singh ETO and Lal Chand Kataruchak.

Lok Sabha MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal, Punjab State Cooperative Agriculture Development Bank Chairman Pawan Kumar Tinu, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Advisor Deepak Bali, and MLAs Balkar Singh and Inderjit Kaur Mann also attended the event.