The land of Punjab has always been an example of love, brotherhood and unity. Here people of all religions — Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and others live together — grown up in the fragrance of the same soil. Today, when distances are increasing in the world in the name of religion, the Mann government of Punjab has once again given this message that “all religions are equal.” This is that soil where Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught — Na Ko Bairi Nahi Bigana Sagal Sang Ham Kau Ban Aayi ||1|| Today, the Mann government of Punjab is taking forward that same message. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Ji has proved that the real religion of the government is only one — that is, service to humanity.
The Mann government has focused on the development of holy places of all religions in Punjab. While it started a pilgrimage scheme and pension scheme equally for elderly people of all classes without any discrimination and for destitute and widowed women, on the other hand it did not lag behind in providing health services equally to all. These initiatives have given birth to a new thinking in Punjab, where humanity is the biggest religion, not religion; where service is the biggest policy, not politics.
The Punjab government has started a wonderful scheme for senior citizens, “Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Scheme.” This scheme is not just a religious program, but a living example of equality of religions and mutual love. Under this scheme, people of all religions are taken on free pilgrimage to their respective holy places. For Sikh devotees — Amritsar Sahib, Patna Sahib, and Hemkunt Sahib. For Hindu devotees — Haridwar, Mathura, and Vaishno Devi. For Muslim devotees — Ajmer Sharif Dargah. While maintaining the respect of every religion, the Mann government has proved that every path leads to the same destination — towards God.
The ‘Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Scheme’ was started by the Mann government of Punjab on November 6, 2023. The Punjab Cabinet had approved the first phase of this scheme from November 27 to February 29, 2024. Along with this, the budget of this scheme has been increased to 100 crore rupees. Recently, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann launched the second phase of the ‘Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Scheme’ from Dhuri, taking forward the series of unity and public welfare schemes of the state. For this journey, 16,000 devotees will be selected from each assembly constituency. The Chief Minister said that this scheme is equally open to people of all classes, religions, different income groups and regions.
This scheme has spread a beautiful message in every corner of Punjab that religions may be different, but the sentiment is one. When every elderly person returns from his pilgrimage, there is only one thing on his lips that “the Mann government did not see our religion, it saw our faith.” This scheme is connecting people’s hearts, where there were walls before, now bridges of love are being built. Punjab has now become an example for the entire country. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s thinking is an example for the entire India today, he has shown that “when the government respects everyone’s religion, not the state, the entire country becomes strong.”
With the Mann government in Punjab, now no one asks what religion you belong to. Because government schemes are open to every citizen, people of every religion are getting free treatment in Aam Aadmi Clinics. Aam Aadmi Clinics in Punjab are working equally for people of all religions, castes and classes under the Mann government. This can be called an example of unity and humanity, 881 clinics are running (565 rural, 316 urban). With 236 new clinics opening, the number will become 1,117. These clinics embody the thinking of “treatment for all, without discrimination.”
Now every family will get free health insurance of up to 10 lakh rupees from the Mann government’s health scheme. This scheme is not for any one class, religion or caste, but for every Punjabi. This scheme is not just insurance, it is an identity of equality and justice. The Mann government has proved that service is the biggest religion. This health insurance of 10 lakh rupees not only provides financial security, but also gives assurance that now no father will mortgage his house for his child’s treatment, nor will any mother sell her jewelry, no elderly person will crave for medicine, and no laborer will back down for fear of hospital fees.
On the other hand, the state government has so far released financial assistance of 693 crore rupees, from which 6 lakh 65 thousand 994 widows and destitute women are directly benefiting. This is not just financial help, but a guarantee of self-respect and security, which is making every woman feel that the government is standing with her. The Bhagwant Mann government has given a clear message that all religions, castes and classes are equal in Punjab. This assistance is not being given by looking at any religion or sect, but by looking at the need — because the soul of Punjab resides in unity, equality and compassion.
The Mann government has always spread the message of unity among people through rallies and cultural programs. This is the true religion — public service, equality and brotherhood. This initiative of the Mann government is presenting a picture of such a Punjab, where equality is the real identity, and humanity is the biggest religion. The Mann government has shown us that when the government takes care of everyone, bridges are built between people, not walls. The Mann government has also proved that a true government is one that places humanity, not religion, above all. Under his rule, every citizen is getting equal rights and equal opportunities. This thinking, this policy of the Mann government is now not limited to Punjab alone. This is a message for the entire India that if one state can take everyone along, then the entire country can also do so.
