Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 29: The Parkash Utsav of Guru Gobind Singh Ji is being celebrated by the State Gurdwara Parbandhak Board and District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committees on January 5, 2016 in accordance with the original Nanak Shahi Calender of 2003.
Addressing a press conference here today, the DGPC members Jammu declared that the SGPB, DGPC Jammu along with various Panthic organizations have decided in principle to celebrate 349th Parkash Utsav (birthday celebrations) of great Guru, Gobind Singh ji Maharaj on January 5. They pointed out that two State Government calendars with two birth dates ( Jan 5 & 7) of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji have been surfaced in social media, which have created a lot of confusion.
“We urge the State Government to clear the confusion and declare January 5 as holiday, as communicated earlier by the District Gurdwara Committee Jammu. We also urge the Government to declare Guru Gobind Singh ji’s birthday as Bank Holiday, with immediate effect, which was in practice till 1990, otherwise, it will be gross discrimination with Sikh employees of J&K Bank and cannot be justified under any circumstances,” they maintained.
The members further said that the main function shall be held at Grudwara Sri Guru Nanak dev ji at Chand Nagar, Jammu on January 5 between 10 am and 4.30 pm in which apart from renowned Ragis and preachers and noted Sikh scholar Dr Jaspal Singh, Vice Chancellor of Punjab University Patiala have been invited to address the Sikh Sangat.
A grand `Nagar- Kirtan’ shall be taken out on January 2 (Saturday) which will start from Chand Nagar (Gumat) Gurdwara at 10.30 am and culminate at Gurdawara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Nanak Nagar in the afternoon, after passing through traditional route Tawi Bridge, Bikram Chowk and Gandhi Nagar. It is necessary that all Jathas participating in the Nagar Kirtan must display the banners of their respective villages/ localities/ organizations for proper identification and those participating must wear black, blue or Kesri turbans/ Dupattas. A turban tying competition shall be held on January 3rd at 2 pm at Gurdwara Guru Singh Sabha, Nanak Nagar as part of this programme. This contest has been divided into youths of three different age groups- Ist below 10 years, 2nd from 10 year to 16 years and from 16 years to 22 years. The winners will be honoured on January 5 during function at Gurdwara Chand Nagar, Jammu.
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