"World looking at us in a different light": PM Modi at event to mark 'Veer Bal Diwas'

Story by ANI | Posted by Tripti Nath | Date 26-12-2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending a programme to mark 'Veer Bal Diwas'

New Delhi (India)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday noted how fellow Indians were taking pride in the country's heritage saying that the world, today, is viewing the country in a different light.

While attrending an event in the national capital to mark 'Veer Bal Divas', the Prime Minister Modi noted how fellow Indians were taking pride in the country's heritage saying that the world, today, is viewing the country in a different light.

Advancing his vision of a new India, PM Modi said the country now has more confidence and belief in its people as well as their potential, dreams and aspirations.

Addressing the event to mark the martyrdom of the two sons of Sikh Guru Sri Gobind Singh, Prime Minister Modi said, "'Veer Bal Diwas' represents and symbolises a national urge to safeguard and carry forward the idea of Bharatiyata."

"This year, America, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, the UAE and Greece have organised programmes related to 'Veer Bal Diwas'," PM Modi added.

"Even as we are taking pride in our national heritage, the world has started looking at us differently. The India of today has more confidence in the confidence, ability, and potential of its people," PM Modi added.

The martyrdom of Mata Gujri, Guru Gobind Singh Ji and their four Sahibzadas inspires every Indian, he said.

After his address at the event, Prime Minister Modi flagged off a youth march to mark 'Veer Baal Diwas'.

The government would also organise participatory programmes all over the country to inform and educate the citizens, especially young children, about the exemplary courage of the Sahibzades (the two young Khalsas who are commemorated on this day).

A digital exhibition detailing the life story and sacrifice of the Sahibzades will be displayed in schools and childcare institutions across the country. A film on 'Veer Baal Diwas' will also be screened nationwide.

Various online competitions, including interactive quiz shows, will be organised through the MYBharat and MyGov portals.

On the day of the Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, on January 9, 2022, Prime Minister Modi announced that December 26 would be marked every year as 'Veer Bal Diwas', to mark the martyrdom of his sons Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji.

Members of the Sikh community in the United States have expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking the historical step to celebrate Veer Bal Diwas in India and across the world.

A member of the Sikh community in the U.S., Jaspal Singh said, "We thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking the historical initiative to celebrate Veer Bal Diwas nationwide."

The convenor of the Indian Minorities Foundation, Satnam Singh Sandhu, who was celebrating Veer Bal Diwas at Gurdwara Sahib, Brookfield, emphasised that this move by PM Modi will help people know more about Sikh history.

"The Indian government has announced to commemorate the martyrdom of Sahibzadas as Veer Bal Diwas. The move will help people learn about Sikh history," he said.

Amar Singh Bhullar, Founder and Managing Director of Hamdard Media Group in Canada, thanked PM Modi on behalf of the Canadian Sikh community as he declared a holiday on the occasion of Veer Bal Diwas.

"We thank PM Narendra Modi as he has declared a holiday on Veer Bal Diwas. I thank him on behalf of the Canadian Sikh community..."

Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, a businessman in the U.S. stressed that PM Modi has done more for the Sikh community, noting that he has also removed GST from langar.

"He (PM Modi) has done a lot for us (Sikh community). He removed GST from langar. He has done more for our community...I thank him...," Dhaliwal added.

Meanwhile, Veer Bal Diwas was also celebrated in the UAE.

A member of the Sikh community in the UAE, while celebrating Veer Bal Diwas at Guru Nanak Darbar Ras Al Khaimah, extended gratitude to the UAE and Indian government for allowing them to freely practice their faith.

"I would like to show my gratitude towards the UAE and Indian government for allowing us to have this land where we can freely practice our faith. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has graciously held this event all throughout the world...," she said.

"I thank the Indian government for announcing to celebrate Veer Bal Diwas...," another member of the Sikh community in the UAE said.

Additionally, the Sikh community in New Zealand also celebrated Veer Bal Diwas on Tuesday.

Rupinder Singh Marco, a member of the Sikh community in New Zealand celebrated Veer Bal Diwas at Begampura Gurudwara Sahib in Auckland.

"The Sikhs of New Zealand are grateful to (PM Modi) for commemorating the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas as Veer Bal Diwas," she said.

Members of the Sikh community in Greece were also seen celebrating Veer Bal Diwas at Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bahadur.

"I thank the Indian government for celebrating the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas as Veer Bal Diwas across the country...," a community member said.

December 26 is a significant day in the annals of India's history as it was on this day in 1705 that Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, younger sons of Guru Govind Singh, made supreme sacrifice at the tender age of 9 and 6 years, respectively, to defend the dignity and honour of Sikhism.

On January 9 last year, PM Modi announced that December 26 would be observed as 'Veer Bal Diwas', to mark the martyrdom of Sahibzada Baba Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Baba Fateh Singh. He announced this on the day marking the Prakash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national President J.P. Nadda on Tuesday remembered the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas, the sons of Guru Gobind Singh, on Tuesday, which is observed as 'Veer Bal Diwas'.

In a post on X, Shah said, "On Veer Bal Diwas, I bow to Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s four Sahibzade and Mata Gujri Ji. With supreme courage they stood against the brutal Mughal rule and chose martyrdom, refusing to convert. Their unmatched valor will continue to inspire generations to come."

"Proclaiming their Martyrdom Day as Veer Bal Diwas, Prime Minister Modi Ji has spread the saga of their sacrifice to every corner of the country and the world," the Home Minister said.

Nadda in a post on X said, "I pay my respects to Zorawar Singh Ji and Fateh Singh Ji, the sons of the tenth Guru of Sikhism, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, on 'Veer Bal Diwas' dedicated to their martyrdom.

"Their patriotism and religious devotion at a very young age is exemplary. It will continue to inspire all the countrymen to protect the nation and culture from age to age," the BJP chief said.

The government will also organise participatory programmes all over the country to inform and educate the citizens, especially young children, about the exemplary courage of the Sahibzades (the two young Khalsas who are commemorated on this day).

Various online competitions, including interactive quiz shows, will be organised through the MYBharat and MyGov portals.

The day also marks the birth anniversary of Udham Singh, a great revolutionary, who avenged the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Amritsar on Baisakhi in 1919 by killing General O'Dwyer, who ordered his forces to open fire on peaceful protesters, in March 1940.

Shaheed Udham Singh was later hanged by the British in London.

Born on December 26, 899, at Sunam in Punjab, Udham Singh was known as Sher Singh as a child.

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13, 1919, left a life-long impact on Udham Singh. The people who had gathered to celebrate Baisakhi at Armitsar's Jallianwala Bagh were fired upon by General Dwyer, who blocked off the main entrance and ordered his troops to open fire on the crowd.

The British officer was scheduled to give a speech at Caxton Hall in London on March 13, 1940. Uddham Singh hid a revolver in a book, entered the hall and shot O'Dwyer.

He was formally charged with the murder on April 1, 1940. While in custody, he called himself "Ram Mohammad Singh Azad."

He was hanged in London on July 31, 1940.