Jalandhar, Feb 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Dera Sachkhand Ballan on Sunday to pay respects to Guru Ravidas on his 649th birth anniversary. The Prime Minister’s visit to the prominent Ravidassia community center in Jalandhar follows the recent announcement of the Padma Shri award for the sect’s head, Sant Niranjan Dass.
During his address to the gathering on the occasion of Magh Purnima, the Prime Minister connected his personal journey to the spiritual legacy of the saint. He noted that representing Varanasi in the Lok Sabha holds special significance as it is the birthplace of Guru Ravidas.
“People of Varanasi gave me blessings and I got the opportunity to also serve the place as an MP from there,” Modi said. He expressed his deep respect for the region, stating, “Mein Punjab di iss dharti nu naman karda haan.”
The Prime Minister spoke about the influence of the saint’s teachings on national progress. He mentioned that the government draws constant motivation from these spiritual values to meet modern challenges.
“We take inspiration from Guru Ravidas,” he said. “With the blessings of Sant Ravidas, I am confident that we will achieve the target of Viksit Bharat.”
He also took the opportunity to recognize the community’s impact on public welfare. While speaking at the dera, which serves as a central hub for the Ravidassia community in Punjab, he praised the institution’s commitment to upliftment.
“In sphere of social service, works of Dera Sachkhand Ballan have been praiseworthy,” Modi said.
The visit began with the Prime Minister arriving at Adampur airport in the afternoon. Before reaching the dera, he officially unveiled the renaming of the facility to Shri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji Airport and virtually opened the new civil terminal at Halwara airport in Ludhiana.
