As part of the series of special events being organised by the Punjab Government to commemorate the 650th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji, a Grand Kirtan Darbar was organised this evening at Dussehra Ground, Ranjit Avenue, Amritsar. The religious congregation commenced with the Parkash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, followed by the recitation of Sri Sukhmani Sahib in accordance with Sikh traditions.
Thereafter, Hazuri Ragi Bhai Jabartor Singh of Sri Harmandir Sahib and the Ragi Jatha led by Bhai Hardyal Singh of Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Sahib rendered the divine Gurbani of Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji. A large number of devotees attended the Kirtan Darbar and sought the blessings of the Guru.
The grand religious event was organised by the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Punjab, in collaboration with the District Administration, Amritsar. Elaborate arrangements were made for the convenience of the devotees, including uninterrupted Guru Ka Langar, dedicated parking facilities and shoe-keeping arrangements.
To commemorate the 650th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji, the Health Department also organised a Special Blood Donation Camp, where a large number of devotees voluntarily donated blood. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Surinder Singh also donated blood on the occasion.
Addressing the congregation, Punjab Public Works Minister S. Harbhajan Singh E.T.O. said that the vision of Begampura given by Sri Guru Ravidas Ji is highly relevant in today’s world and needs to be embraced for building an egalitarian society.
He said that discrimination can be eliminated and equality established only by following the teachings of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji. The Minister further said that while the Upanishads and Indian philosophy contained profound spiritual wisdom, Sri Guru Ravidas Ji presented these teachings in the language of the common people, making them accessible to everyone.
He added that the sacred Bani of Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji will always continue to guide humanity. Referring to the year-long celebrations, Harbhajan Singh E.T.O. said that it is a matter of great pride that Punjab is commemorating the birth anniversaries of its revered Gurus.
He recalled that during the 649th Prakash Purab celebrations at Khuralgarh, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had announced year-long programmes to celebrate the 650th Prakash Purab on a grand scale and to spread the universal message of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji across the world, under which various events are being organised.
Expressing gratitude to the devotees, MLA Dr. Jasbir Singh Sandhu said that 40 hymns and one Shalok of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji are enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. He said Guru Ji emphasised love and devotion in his teachings while raising his voice against caste discrimination and social inequality.
He urged everyone to rise above caste divisions and follow the path shown by Sri Guru Ravidas Ji. MLA Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that although constitutions across the world advocate equality and justice, Sri Guru Ravidas Ji had propagated these ideals nearly 650 years ago through his spiritual teachings and gifted humanity the vision of Begampura.
He stressed that the teachings of Guru Ji remain the most effective way to eliminate discrimination and establish equality in society. MLA S. Jaswinder Singh Ramdas and MLA Mrs. Jeevan Jyot Kaur said that it is a matter of immense pride that Punjab is celebrating the historic birth anniversaries of its revered Gurus.
They recalled that during the 649th Prakash Purab celebrations at Khuralgarh, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had announced year-long programmes to commemorate the 650th Prakash Purab on a grand scale and spread Guru Ji’s message across the globe, under which such mega events are being organised.
The devotees who attended the Kirtan Darbar appreciated the Punjab Government’s efforts to spread the universal message of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji across the world. On the occasion, Cabinet Minister S. Harbhajan Singh E.T.O., MLAs Dr. Jasbir Singh Sandhu, Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar, S. Jaswinder Singh Ramdas, MLA Jeevan Jyot Kaur, Mayor Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia, and prominent leaders of the Sri Guru Ravidas community were specially honoured.
Among those present were Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Surinder Singh, SDM Amritsar-II Gurmander Singh, District Tourism Officer Sukhman Singh, Deputy CEO Employment Bureau Tirath Pal Singh, besides officers and officials from various departments.
Prominent members of the Sri Guru Ravidas community, including President Hakumat Rai, Ravinder Hans, Narinder Singh Thapa, Jugal Kishore Dhirana, Bunty, Yudhvir, Ashwani Kumar Juganiyan, Jugraj Singh Ball, Jasbir Singh Sur, Ravi Shankar, Ram Ji, Subhash Amrohi, Omkar, Chaman Lal, Satpal, Sanjeev Kumar, Deepak Palewal, Gora, Govinda, Sonu, Rampal, Angrez Pradhan, Harjit Singh, Inder Raj, Diljit Dhupad, Baldev Raj, Jagdish Singh, Sukhbir Singh, Master Kashmir Singh, General Secretary Gopal Shahi, Surinder Singh, Master Som Raj, Dr. Amar Prakash Kataria, Pradeep Dogra, Ravi Shankar, Sardar Lal Bangar, Banarsi Lal Kataria, Kulwant Rai, Keemti Lal Palewal, Raghunandan Lal, Gaurav Kumar, Krishan Lal Joshi, Pankaj Amrohi, Chairman Jaskaran Singh, Aam Aadmi Party District President (Amritsar Urban) Sarabjot Singh Dhanjal, Advocate Arvind Bhatti and Jarnail Singh Dhot, besides a large number of devotees, were present on the occasion.