Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Nov 14: The 548th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism was celebrated with great religious fervour and gaiety across the State today.
The main function in connection with the Gurpurab was organised at Gurdwara Yadghar Guru Nanak Dev Ji, at Chand Nagar, Jammu. The programme was organised by District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DGPC), Jammu in which a large number of devotees from all parts of the State participated, to seek the blessings of the great Guru.
‘Ragi Jatha’ of Bhai Manjeet Singh of Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar; Bhai Gurpreet Singh of Jallandhar and the local ‘Ragis’ recited the ‘Shabad Kirtan’. Prominent religious preacher Bhai Parkash Singh Ferozpuri, threw light on the life and teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who gave the message of love, brotherhood, peace and equality of human beings.
On this occasion, several resolutions highlighting religious, social and political problems being faced by the minority Sikh community in the State were presented. The resolutions were presented by Harjinder Singh Raina, Member, District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
TS Wazir, Chairman, State Gurdwara Parbandhak Board while addressing the gathering greeted the Sangat and urged the State and Central Governments to fulfill the genuine and legitimate demands of minority Sikh community and assured the gathering that District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Jammu and State Gurdwara Parbandhak Board with the cooperation of Sikh Sangat shall continue its efforts for the redressal of all the genuine demands of Sikh community of State.
The main resolutions unanimously adopted and passed during the programme included setting up of Minority Commission in the State, appointment of Punjabi language teachers in schools, settlement of (PoK) refugees’ issue with payment of at least Rs 30 lakh per family and reservation in professional colleges and in Govt jobs to the wards of refugees, provision of eight seats for them in Legislature; installation of statue of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur at Kunjwani Chowk, special package for Sikhs living in Kashmir and allotment of land for Gurdwara in Ramnagar.
State BJP president, Sat Sharma along with MLC Charanjit Singh Khalsa (BJP) also attended the programme and offered special prayers at the Gurdwara. This Gurdwara was highly decorated by the committee members and the District Administration had made elaborate security arrangements. The vehicular traffic via Gumat, Vivekanand Chowk, Maharaja Gulab Singh Marg and Jewel Chowk had been diverted to other routes. Since early morning, the devotees started visiting this Gurdwara and others existing, in the city and other towns of the State to offer special prayers.
Jagjit Singh, president, District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Jammu extended gratitude to the Administration, all the Sikh organisations, Sikh Sangat and other participants for their co-operation and participation in Nagar Kirtan and making today’s program a grand success.
Similar, programme was held at Gurdwara Singh Sabha Poonch and Dera Nangali Sahib in district Poonch in which people in thousands offered special prayers. These programmes were held under the supervision of Mahant Manjit Singh Ji, head priest of Dera Nangali Sahib. He also addressed the religious gathering and appealed to the community to follow the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and spread message of love, peace and brotherhood.
At Digiana Ashram Jammu, Rehari Chungi, Nanak Nagar and Gole Gujral in Jammu city similar functions were organised. Sikh United Front president, Sudershan Singh Wazir addressed religious gathering at Digiana Ashram. Several resolutions were also adopted by the Sangat during the programme here. They demanded induction of a Sikh member in the Ministry. Several DGPC members were also present.
A large number of people/ devotees offered prayers at RS Pura, Simbal Camp, Ramgarh, Kathua, Samba, Akhnoor, Rajouri, Batote and Udhampur Gurdwaras besides parts of Kashmir and Ladakh.
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