LG, Advisor, Farooq, DGP others offer special prayers
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Jan 20: 354th Prakash Purab (Birth Anniversary) of 10th Guru of Sikhs, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji was celebrated with religious fervour and enthusiasm by the Sikh community across J&K UT today.
A grand function in this connection was organised at Gurdwara Yaadgar Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Chand Nagar Jammu besides all other local Gurdwaras of Jammu and other places.
The main programme was organised by the District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Jammu with the support of SGPB and other Sikh bodies, at Chand Nagar Gurdwara, under the patronage of Guru Granth Sahib. A large number of devotees besides religious heads from various places in the northern region participated in it. Despite COVID-19 restrictions, thousands of devotees from entire J&K participated in the function to pay obeisance and to seek the blessings of the great Guru. Click here to watch video
Chand Nagar Gurdwara witnessed heavy rush of devotees since monrning. It was highly decorated by the Management Committee besides making other special arrangements for the devotees. Prominent preachers and Raagi Jathas from Punjab and J&K delivered religious sermons and recited ‘Gurbani- Kirtan’.
Gurdeep Singh from Kapurthala in Punjab was the main preacher on this occasion, who threw light on teachings and life of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, his sacrifices along with his entire family for the sake of humanity and truth. Sant Tejwant Singh Ji, preachers and chief of Dera Sant Pura Danna, also addressed the gathering and spoke on the sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh Ji for humanity and Khalsa Panth. He exorted upon the youth to follow the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji for humanity.
Raagi Jathas of Bhopinder Singh and Bhai Jagtar Sigh- both Hazuri Raagis of Darbar Sahib Amritsar and local DGPC Raagi Jathas of Randhir Singh, Surjit Singh, Harbans Singh and Ranjit Singh of Digiana Ashram also recited `Gurbani- Kirtan’. Harpinder Singh, Incharge Sikh Mission J&K Charter of SGPC, Amritsar also spoke on this occasion.
Lt Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha, former Chief Minister of J&K Dr Farooq Abdullah, Advisor to Lt Governor J&K, Farooq Khan and Director General of J&K Police Dilbag Singh attended today’s function at Chand Nagar Gurudwara and greeted the Sikh community on this occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Lt Governor observed that Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s principles based on the ethos of social equality, universal brotherhood, selfless service, peace and righteousness, have strong relevance in the contemporary times. As a seeker, Guru Gobind Singh ji was closest to God, part of godliness and as a warrior, the one who represented God in the battle to defend humanity. Whenever Guru Gobind Singh Ji set out on a journey, it was meant to give respect and dignity to the people he so deeply loved, the Lt Governor said.
He also acknowledged the contribution of Sikh community towards public welfare, social service, nation building and economy of J&K. He said the J&K Government is making dedicated efforts and is working on creating an institutional mechanism for encouraging and promoting the Punjabi language in the UT.
Sinha urged people to cultivate the spirit of dedication, kindness and valour epitomized by the great Guru to create a harmonious society.
Mahant Manjit Singh, head priest of Dera Nangali Sahib Poonch while speaking stressed for unity of Sikhs in Jammu and Kashmir. DGPC Member Ramnik Singh presented the detail of some burning demands and issues of Sikh community in J&K before the gathering.
Tarlochan Singh Wazir, ex-MLC and Chairman J&K Gurdwara Board while addressing the gathering greeted the Sangat on this occasion and threw light on burning issues of Sikh community in J&K and about the continuous neglect and discrimination by J&K Administration. Although he mentioned about farmers agitation, Anand Marriage Act, neglect of Kashmir Valley Sikhs in SRO-425, JMC Shops on Gurdwara Land and Ansari Commission Report, but he dwelt in detail about the unjustified exclusion of Punjabi language in J&K Official Languages Act and said strong resentment is brewing among the Sikh Community members in J&K for ignoring Punjabi language with its own dialect and being spoken by a large section of J&K people. Later, a memorandum was submitted to the State Administration.
Wazir obtained endorsement of entire Sikh Sangat about these burning issues and also extended gratitude to District Administration Jammu and Sikh Sangat for their cooperation and participation.
‘Guru Ka Langar’ was also served to the devotees. The stage was conducted by Fateh Singh- general secretary DGPC, Jammu and other DGPC office bearers and members present on the occasion included -Jathadar Mohinder Singh, Jagjit Singh, Avtar Singh Khalsa, Kuldeep Singh, Ramnik Singh, Manmohan Singh, Darbinder Singh, Mohinder Singh and Raja Singh (All DGPC Members) and many others.
Reports from Srinagar said that the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji was today celebrated in Kashmir Valley with religious fervour with the members of the Sikh community attending special prayers at Gurudwaras
The largest gathering was held at Chhatipadshahi in Srinagar, where several devotees including men, women, children and elders took part in the special prayers that were held throughout the day.
In Barzulla as well many Sikh devotees assembled in a nearby Gurdwara and participated in the special prayers that were held and recalled the teachings of the Guru Gobind Singh. “We are today celebrating the Prakash Divas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji who played a vital role in disseminating the teachings and made sure that people adhere to teachings of the Sikh religion,” Jarnail Singh member of the management of the Chhattipadshahi said.
The Sikh devotees from various parts of the Valley also reached Chatipadshahi in Srinagar and participated in the special prayers that were held.
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