In a bid to celebrate the 350th birth centenary of tenth Sikh Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji in a befitting manner, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today approved yearlong programs to be observed for commemorating this gala event across the country.A decision to this effect was taken in meeting presided over by the Chief Minister at his residence this evening.Taking part in deliberations, the Chief Minister said that they were very fortunate to have got this august opportunity of celebrating this event during their life time. He said that Punjab government would make all out efforts to ensure that this event was observed in an unsurpassed manner.
Badal said that concerted efforts would be made to involve the Sikh community from across the globe during these yearlong celebrations to mark the 350th birth centenary of the founder of Khalsa Panth. Chalking out the program for the celebrations, the Chief Minister announced that a state level function would be observed in the state to pay tribute to Tenth Sikh Guru. Likewise, he said that five seminars regarding life, philosophy and teachings of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji would be held at New Delhi, Amritsar, Patiala, Mumbai and Kolkatta in which people from all walks of life would be invited. In the same manner, Mr. Badal said that a ‘Kavi Darbar’ would be organized in Paonta Sahib at the places associated with such events during the life of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
The Chief Minister further said that in a tribute to the great Sikh Guru ‘Marchs’ would be organized from the birth places of first ‘Panj Piyaaras’ of Sikh Panth, which would culminate at Takht Sri Patna Sahib. Likewise, he said that similar Nagar Kirtans would be organized from Patna Sahib to other states of West Bengal, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand, which were highly populated by Sikhs. Mr. Badal also said that a ‘Darshan Deedar Yatra’ of bus carrying relics and weapons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji would be organized from Sri Anandpur Sahib to Patna on the same route on which the tenth Guru had came to Sri Anandpur Sahib from Patna.
Prominent amongst others present in the meeting included Cabinet Minister Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Vice Chancellor Punjabi University Dr. Jaspal Singh, former Minister Jathedar Sewa Singh Sekhwan, President Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee Jathedar Avtar Singh, President Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Jathedar Manjit Singh GK, Principal Secretary Tourism Mrs. Anjali Bhawra, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Director Tourism Mr. NS Randhawa and eminent historian Dr Prithipal Singh Kapoor.