Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 25: As per the Nanak Shahi Calendar, 351st Prakash Purab of 10th Guru Gobind Singh Ji was celebrated today with traditional religious fervour and enthusiasm.
On the occasion, hundreds of devotees participated in the religious congregation at Sant Mela Singh College of Education, near Digiana Ashram, Jammu. The Gurmat Samagham was organized under the supervision of Mahant Manjit Singh of Sheromani Dera Nangali Sahib, Poonch with the cooperation of Sikh Sangat of J&K, members of DGPC Jammu and various Sikh organizations of J&K, including Sikh United Front, Shiromani Akali Dal, Bhai Kanihya Nishkam Sewa Society (AISSF), Sikh Welfare Society, Sikh Naujawan Sabha and Gurudwara Local Committees.
Ragis and preachers from within and outside State highlighted the sacrifices of the 10th Guru. Bhai Ravinder Singh of Bengal, Bhai Karamjeet Singh of Shri Darbara Sahib Amritsar and Bhai Daljeet Singh, Ragi of Jammu recited Shabad Kirtan, Bhai Jagdev Singh of Taragarh Punjab threw light on the life and history of Guru Ji.
The prominent religious and political personalities, who participated and addressed, included Kavinder Gupta, Speaker J&K Legislature Assembly; Ex ministers S Harbans Singh, S Gurmukh Singh, Raman Bhalla, Sudarshan Singh Wazir ( president Sikh United Front J&K) , Dayal Singh Wazir, Vikram Randhawa (MLC), Manjit Singh, Bhushan Dogra, T.S Wazir, Arvinder Singh Mickey, Paramjeet Singh Raina, Jathedar Mohinder Singh, Harjinder Singh Raina, Advocate Amrik Singh, Ravinder Singh (Director Education), Mohinder Singh, Surinder Singh Kala, Parabjeet Singh, Rajinder Singh and Harpreet Singh Chotu.
On the occasion, a resolution was also moved seeking Punjabi language from primary in the schools, inclusion of a Sikh Cabinet Minister in the J&K coalition Government, Minority Commission in J&K, reservation in Government jobs for Sikhs, Rs.30, 0000 to per family of 1947 POK Refugees. installation of statue of Banda Singh Bahadur at Kunjwani Chowk, development in the Refugee localities, inclusion a Sikh member in SSB and a Sikh Judge in J&K High Court from State.
Speaking on the occasion, Mahant Manjit Singh stressed upon the Sikh community to maintain love and unity among themselves. He also presented Siropas to the prominent participants.
Reports from Poonch said that Parkash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh Ji was celebrated at Gurdwara Main Bazar Poonch by All India Sikh Students Federation.
Sikh Sangat of Poonch in large number paid their visit at the Gurdwara Sahib from very early in the morning and attended the programme. Ragi Jathas of Bhai Manpreet Singh, Bhai Jaswant Singh, Bhai Jagjeet Singh, Jathas of Sant Mela Singh Public School Poonch recited the Gurbani Keertan.
Speakers threw light on the life history and teachings of Guru Govind Singh Ji.
Prominent amongst the speakers, included S Harcharn Singh Khalsa (State president AISSF JK), MLC Pardeep Kumar Sharma, Manmohan Singh, Hazara Singh and Mandeep Singh.
At Udhampur, Parkash Utsav was celebrated with full fervor and gaiety in Gurudawara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Udhampur under the banner of District Gurudawra Parbandak Committee Udhampur.
People from all walks of life participated in the Guruparab celebration while Ragi Jatha Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurpreet Singh Ludhiana Wale and Kathawatchk Gagandeep Singh narrated the life history of Guru Govind Singh Ji. SSP Udhampur Rayees Mohammad Bhat also attended the religious programme while president DGPC Udhampur presented him a Siropa.
On the occasion of Parkash Purab, Gurdwara Yaadghar Sant Baba Sunder Singh ji Sunder Nagar Nonial Nowshera organized 351st birthday of Guru Govind Singh Ji and 74th remembrance day (Santaa Di Barsi) programme.
Shabad Kirtan was recited by Jasbir Singh and party Ludhiana Wale and Ragi Jatha Nowshera Kulbir Singh and party while Ardaas was performed by Granthi Gurbachan Singh. This was followed by a Guru Ka Langer. Thousands of devotees from different districts of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab took part in the Samagam.
MLC Surinder Chowdary and MLA Nowshera Ravinder Raina also addressed to gathering and both of them announced to give Rs 10 lakh each for development of the Gurdwara Sahib and other works. Former MLC Ravinder Sharma also addressed to gathering. Chairman of Sant Baba Sunder Singh Missionary Academy Sundernagar Nonial, Advocate Rattan Singh presented Saropas to the legislators.