Jaswant Singh Gandam/Raman Nehra
PHAGWARA/SULTANPUR LODHI: Emphasizing that people should not be divided on religion and caste lines, former Prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh said that the appropriate tribute to Guru Nanak Dev ji, the founder of Sikh faith, would be to spread his message of peace and harmony.
Dr Singh, along with his wife Gursharan Kaur, paid obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Ber Sahib. He launched the year-long celebrations of Guru’s 550th Parkash Purb (birth anniversary) programs at state-level functions by Punjab government on 23 November at Sultanpur Lodhi, which is hallowed by 14 years sojourn of the Guru. He was honored with a ‘siropa’ (robe of honor) by SGPC President Bhai Gobind Singh Longowal.
Expressing concern over the growing of terrorism the world over, Dr Singh, told a mammoth gathering that the path shown by Guru Nanak alone could help tackle it. “Not only Punjab but but entire world is grappling with terrorism”, he remarked. “Only Guru Nanak Dev’s teachings can help us in these trying times”, he said.
He recited a verse, “Jagat Jalanda rakh le, Apni kirpa dhar”(Protect the burning world through your divine grace).
Underlying Guru’s message of inter-faith dialogue, Dr Singh emphasized Sikh tenets of equality as institutionalized by ‘langar’(free community kitchen) and sharing one’s earnings with those less privileged.
He expressed concern over the widening gap between the rich and the poor across the world.
Both Dr Singh, Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore and Punjab Chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh launched the programs by pressing a button.
CM invoked, “Nanak Naam Chardi Kalan, Tere Bhaane Sarbat Da Bhala” while launching it, calling upon all people to set aside their religious and political differences to join his government in making the commemorative events memorable.
He greeted one and all on the auspicious occasion of Gurpurab and exhorted the people to reconnect with the teachings, principles and ideals enunciated by Guru Ji.
He invited people from across the world to participate in the celebrations.
AICC Secretary Asha Kumari and PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar were also present on the auspicious occasion.
The Governor inaugurated an exhibition – From Rabab to Nagara’ – curated by historian Dr. Mohinder Singh, director of Delhi-based National Institute of Punjab Studies.
Recalling the various submissions made by his government to the Prime Minister for supporting the state’s initiative for the special events, the Chief Minister thanked Narendra Modi, and the Government of India, for acceding to the requests of the State Government on behalf of the people of Punjab and Punjabis living across the world.
Speaking on the occasion, Baba Sarabjot Singh of the Sant Samaaj appealed for unity for observing this historic moment.
Ex cricketer Kapil Dev presented his book, `We the Sikhs around the world’, relating to 100 Gurdwaras across the globe, to Dr Manmohan Singh, Badnore and Capt Amarinder.
Development projects
Earlier, Dr Manmohan Singh, Punjab Governor and Chief Minister laid the foundation stones for 26 development projects worth Rs 150 crore, including upgradation of infrastructure in the three historic towns of Sultanpur Lodhi, Dera Baba Nanak and Batala – all associated with Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji.
An official release said that CM, who further announced projects and welfare schemes to the tune of Rs 3312 crore to facilitate pilgrims and to commemorate the historic occasion, also launched a tree plantation drive to plant 550 trees in every village throughout the state in the next one year at a total cost of Rs. 10.5 crore.
