Leaders of different political parties of Punjab, including Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and the leader of the Opposition Parkash Singh Badal praised Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal for his imitable effort of cleansing 160-km-long Kali Bein.

It was another thing that they could not attend the function organised at the time of President APJ Abdul Kalam’s visit to Nirmal Kuteya in Sultanpur Lodhi of Kapurthala district on August 17, despite invitation.

However, their messages have been published in the 64-page souvenir published by the Ek Onkar Charitable Trust, of which Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal is the Chairman. The President released the souvenir, which was published in dedication to the kar seva of the holy Kali Bein.

In his message, Mr Amarinder Singh terms it a matter of pride for the Punjabis that Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal had accomplished the kar seva of the sacred Bein with the help of his followers. Each disciple of Guru Nanak Dev is well aware of the religious importance of the Bein as Guru Sahib gained enlightenment after spending three days in the Bein. The Kar seva done by the Sant and his team continuously from 2000 to 2006 is not less than ocean churning, the Congress leader adds.

Similarly, former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal appreciates the Sant’s great efforts and that of the Gur Sangat Nirmal Kuteya, Seechewal, for doing kar seva of the historic Kali Bein. “Santji has done a yeoman’s service by restoring the cleanliness of this historic rivulet,” the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Chief adds.

In his message, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Chief Jathedar Avtar Singh states that the efforts of the Sant to cleanse and take care of Guru Nanak’s Bein are praiseworthy. “Sant Balbir Singh has not only make pollution free the Bein belonging to the Gurughar, but he has also made an attempt to restore its traditional glory by cleansing it methodically,” he remarks.

Governor of Punjab, General (retired) S.F. Rodrigues, expressed happiness that the historical rivulet, Kali Bein, associated with the life and philosophy of Sri Guru Nanak Dev, is being remodelled and beautified through the concept of kar seva, under the patronage of the Ek Onkar Charitable Trust headed by Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal.

The governor states that it is heartening to note that the people of the area, irrespective of their caste, creed and religion, have joined the thousands of volunteers to contribute in the unique cooperative movement, dedicated for restoring the pristine glory of Kali Bein.

Mr Rodrigues states that the visit of the President to this sacred place would go a long way in giving a fillip to this cause, and further help in mobilising the people for transforming this entire area into a model for our environmental heritage.

In his message, Sant Jagjit Singh Lopon, Chief Sevadar, Sant Darbara Singh Sampradaya, states that Sant Avtar Singh Seechewal and his successor Sant Baba Balbir Singh’s kar seva to cleanse Kali Bein is an exemplary service. Congratulating Sant Balbir Singh for the kar seva, he assured him of full cooperation for the purpose.

Guru Nanak Dev University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jai Rup Singh, congratulated the Ek Onkar Charitable Trust Seechewal for undertaking such a massive project of environment importance.