Ludhiana, July 3,2021 (Yes Punjab News)
Gujranwala Khalsa Educational Council, a hundred-year-old trust, running various schools and colleges at Ludhiana organized an International Webinar on “Maharaja Ranjeet Singh: The Ruler of Punjab” in order to commemorate the 182nd death anniversary of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Ji.
The occasion was graced by the virtual presence of several dignitaries. Fakir Sayed Saifuddin, the descendant of Fakir Aziz-ud-din (Foreign Minister of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh) and Director of Fakir Khana Museum Pakistan delivered the inaugural address.
The Resource Persons of the day were Dr. Varinderpal Singh, Principal Soil Scientist, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, S. Gurinder Singh Mann, Director, Sikh Museum, UK, and Prof. Radha Sharma, Former Chairman, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Chair & Head, Department of History, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.
The Presidential address was delivered by Prof. Prithipal Singh Kapoor, Former Pro-Vice-Chancellor GNDU Amritsar. Dr. S.P. Singh, Former Vice-Chancellor GNDU Amritsar and President, Gujranwala Khalsa Education Council, welcomed the eminent guests and stated that the objective of the Webinar is to disseminate the knowledge about the rich history of Punjab and to pay homage to Maharaja Ranjeet Singh for the unprecedented contribution that he made for the “Charhdi Kala” of Khalsa Raj.
In his inaugural address, Fakir Sayed Saiffudin shared several anecdotes related to Maharaja Ranjeet Singh and acquainted the audience with the sculptures, artworks, and models kept in the Fakir Khana Museum in order to keep the history of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh’s period alive. Dr. Varinderpal Singh said that the greatest contribution of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was that he unified the Sikhs into a cohesive military and political unit.
He threw the light on the great emphasis laid by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh to improve the educational system. Quoting from a book written by W.G. Osborne on Maharaja Ranjeet Singh in which he called him “mild and merciful” as a ruler, he stated that even Britishers were impressed by his personality.
S. Gurinder Singh Mann called him a shrewd diplomat and an able warrior. He showed 3 D models of artefacts, artillery and currency used at the time of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. Prof. Radha Sharma in her address mentioned that Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s social reforms have received little attention, especially the progressive steps he took in the area of education. The Maharaja cared deeply for his people and wanted to use education as a means to elevate their quality of life. He was a just ruler from whom justice was supreme.
In his presidential address, Prof. Prithipal Singh Kapoor called the period of Maharaja Ranjeet singh “the golden period of history ” as he presided over a multi-ethnic, multi-faith, multi-caste empire with remarkable toleration and inclusivity.
He rose above communal prejudices, treating his subjects on an equal footing. Competent individuals from all backgrounds – Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish – occupied senior posts as advisors, administrators, courtiers, generals and governors. S. Arvinder Singh, Honorary General Secretary, Gujranwala Khalsa Educational Council proposed the vote of thanks. He expressed his gratitude to the eminent guests for sparing their valuable time and applauded the efforts of the director of the webinar Dr. Mandeep Kaur.
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