To mark the 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Punjab Government has decided to set up a Guru Nanak Dev Chair in the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda in the name of the first Sikh master.After paying obeisance at Darbar Sahib here on Thursday, recently appointed MRSPTU, Vice Chancellor, renowned academician and researcher, Prof. Buta Singh Sidhu said the chair in the name of ‘Guru Nanak Dev Ji be established in Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda to align the objectives of Government of Punjab to conduct exhaustive research in systematic manner on his messages and teachings of peace, humanity, equality, compassion for creation of better society and clean green environment.The Chair during its 5 year term will be entrusted with conducting research on the life, philosophy and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in particular related to Environmental Science based on “Pavan-Guru Paani-Pita Maata-Dharat Mahat”.The vision of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji on man, nature relationship with particular emphasis on his message of “Pavan-Guru Paani-Pita Maata-Dharat” studying the elements of water, air and soil in the present context of ecological crisis facing mankind will remain in focus.Prof. Buta Singh Sidhu further said that Guru Nanak chair would enable studies that would have special focus on the scientific vision of Guru Nanak in addressing prevalent issues such as bio-hazard threat, ecological imbalances and defining ecological relationships for the better survival of every living organism on this earth. The chair will particularly emphasize the scientific perspective of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings that are conducive and valuable in comprehending the scope of the vision of the Sikh Gurus particularly in context to ecology and environmental Science.
He said that Guru Nanak had conveyed the message to respect nature, mother earth and other natural resources such as water and air. “We have forgotten the teachings of Guru Nanak who said “Pavan Guru Panni Pita Mata Dharat Mahat” Pavan guru paani pita, maata dhart mahat. (Air is our teacher, Water our father, And the Great Earth our mother), which means that our environment is like our family but what we see today is deteriorating air due to pollution and depleting underground water”. The real tribute to Guru Nanak Dev would be to preserve our natural resources for future generations.Prof. Sidhu said: “The very fact that Guru Nanak Dev Ji was able to anticipate the major challenges that we face today —environmental protection, checking radicalisation and social evils — Women Empowerment and gender equality.He said Guru's message "SO KYON MANDA AAKHIYE-JIT JAMMEH RAJAN" which means woman has been a birth giver to many a Saint, great Kings and Emperors, how she may be inferior/ sinner" still sends strong message on women empowerment." We are utilising the anniversary to get it to resonate. Setting up a prominent chair in a fastest growing University MRSPTU is one of the most cost-effective ways of carrying forward that message,”. He thanked Hon’ble Punjab Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, Finance and Planning Minister, Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, Minister of Technical Education & Industrial Training, Mr. Charanjit Singh Channi, and Principal Secretary Technical Education and Industrial Training , Mr. Anurag Verma IAS for giving full support to the university to accomplish the task. Prof. Buta Singh Sidhu was accompanied by his wife Sardarni Sukhminder Kaur, Son Japnam Singh Sidhu (Canada), Senior faculty members from MRSPTU Dr. Gurpreet Singh Bath (Civil Engineering), Dr. Balwinder Singh Sidhu (Mechanical Engineering) and Director Public Relations, Harjinder Singh Sidhu.
SGPC honours VC for good cause of Guru Nanak Chair
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Sardar Gobind Singh Longowal honoured Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buta Singh Sidhu and his family members and faculty with Siropas (robe of honour) for good cause of establishing Guru Nanak chair in the University.Mr. Longowal appreciated the efforts of MRSPTU for establishing chair in the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.“The philosophy and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev are relevant and important for mankind, " said Mr. Longowal while assuring full support to the University for propagating the philosophy and teachings of Gur Nanak Dev Ji and accomplishing the task of Chair. Senior SGPC member, Gurcharan Singh Grewal, PRO Harbhajan Singh Vakta and SGPC office bearers Gurpreet Singh Jhbbar were also present on the occasion.