STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The 555th Parkash Purab (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji was celebrated with great enthusiasm and religious fervour across the region by the entire Sikh community and other followers of the great Guru.
The main program (Gurmat Samagam) was organized by the District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DGPC) Jammu at Gurdwara Yaadgar Sri Guru Nanak Sahib, Chand Nagar.
A large number of devotees from the Sikh community and other followers of Guru Nanak Dev Ji from different communities participated.
The Gurdwara was beautifully decorated, and devotees began visiting early in the morning to seek the Guru’s blessings.
Bhai Sukhwinder Singh Ji Dadehar, a Sikh preacher from Gurmat Gian Missionary College, Ludhiana, spoke on the life and message of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, emphasizing his extensive travels to spread the message of peace and love for humanity, selflessness, and belief in brotherhood and equality.
Bhai Robin Preet Singh from Sultanpur Lodhi and Ragi Gurdev Singh Hazuri Ragi from Sri Darbar Sahib recited Shabad Kirtan of Gurbani.
Prominent local Ragis of DGPC Jammu, including Bhai Gian Singh, Bhai Harpreet Singh Chohala, and Bhai Rattan Singh Ji, also recited Shabad Kirtan and shed light on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Various preaching organizations and the Health Department set up stalls in the premises of the Gurdwara Sahib, and Guru Ka Langar was served continuously throughout the day.
National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah, along with Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Javed Rana, Forest Minister, and Rattan Lal, Provincial President, paid obeisance at Chand Nagar Gurdwara Sahib.
Balvinder Singh, Vice President, while addressing the Sangat, shared some key issues of the Sikh community in JKUT that have long been unaddressed which included promotion of the Punjabi language by filling vacant Punjabi teacher positions, ensuring Sikh participation in the assembly by granting political reservations similar to those provided to Pandits under the migrant quota and to another group from the Jammu region under the POJK quota, amending SRO 425 to accommodate Sikh youths in the valley within the special employment package under the non-migrant quota, making amendments to the Anand Marriage Act to remove the penalty clause, providing additional ex-gratia compensation to the next of kin (NOK) of those killed in anti-Sikh riots at par with other riot victims across the country, and addressing the pending file in the Secretariat for disposal.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, and Forest Minister Javed Rana highlighted the life and message of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and his teachings of universal brotherhood.
They assured the Sangat and DGPC members that a meeting with the Chief Minister would soon be organized to address the community’s issues and reaffirmed that only elected bodies would be involved in all matters pertaining to Sikhs.
Other prominent political figures from various parties, including Ab Hameed Karra from the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee, Raman Bhalla, Acting Vice President of JKCC, Charanjit Singh Khalsa, Ex-MLC, and Vikram Randhawa, Taranjit Singh Tony also paid their respects at the Gurdwara Sahib.
Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG JKS Range, Vivek Shekhar, S.P. City, Devinder Singh, SDPO City North, along with SHO Nowabad, also visited the Gurdwara Sahib and paid their respects. ADC (L&O) Ansuyia Jamwal also paid homage to Guru Sahib.
Ranjeet Singh Tohra thanked Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the Deputy Chief Minister, the Forest Minister, and other political personalities who paid obeisance at the program, as well as to the Civil and Police departments, Fire Services, Traffic Department, PHE, PDD, JMC, and others who extended their cooperation for the smooth conduct of the program.
He also thanked Panthak channels IK Bani, Hond, Paigaam TV, Apsi Sanjh, Sikh News, and Khalsa TV for arranging the live telecast of the whole program.
The stage was conducted by Surjeet Singh, General Secretary, DGPC Jammu, who also thanked all those who prepared and distributed Langar, and those who volunteered in cleaning utensils and other services.
All DGPC office bearers and members, including Master Ranvir Singh, Joint Secretary, Jagpal Singh, Cashier, Harjeet Singh & Gurmeet Singh, Incharge Dharam Parchar Committee DGPC Jammu, Balvinder Singh, Tejinder Singh, Avtar Singh, and Karan Singh Bali, were present.