Chandigarh, November 5, 2019 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa exhorted the people to tread on the path shown by Guru Nanak Dev Ji to create an harmonious society as envisioned by the founder of Sikhism.
Unveiling the special issue of ‘India Today’ magazine dedicated to 550th Prakash Purb celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji here during a commemorative event ‘The Gift of Guru Nanak’ jointly organised by the Punjab Government and India Today Group, the Minister said that Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji propagated the message of universal brotherhood, religious tolerance and oneness of God in every nook and corner of the world.
It is a special moment for us, as we are commemorating historic occasion of 550th Prakash Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji during our lifetime.
He said that the Punjab Government had initiated series of programmes to mark this sacred event besides organising mega functions at Sultanpur Lodhi, Dera Baba Nanak and Batala to make 550th Prakash Purb celebrations an eventful occasion. The State Government is incurring nearly 100 crore for the all round development of 70 villages in the state associated with the Guru Ji.
The Philosophy of Guru Ji has strong relevance in the contemporary times, in the form of his universal message of Kirat Karo (earning livelihood by honest means), Naam Japo (constant chanting of Name of God) and Vand Chhako (share the fruits of labour) and to create an egalitarian society, he added.
Emphasising the need to promote education and punjabi language, the Minister said that Great Guru ji had preached us the significance of education in those times for the cause of welfare of needy ones.
He said that we all should make concerted efforts to preserve and promote our rich languages Gurmukhi lipi and Punjabi as the Bani in Sri Guru Granth Sahib is on Gurmukhi. He said, “if our younger generations can not read the Gurmukhi and Punjabi, they will be unable to recite Bani therefore it is our bounden duty to promote our mother tongue across the globe.
Earlier Pandit Madhup Mudgal along with his group mesmerised the audience with religious compositions. A panel discussion on the subject ‘The Relevance of the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev ji in Modern Times’ was also held with panellist Historians Indu Banga and Sumail Singh Sidhu moderated by senior journalist Roopinder Singh. In his welcome address, the Editorial Director of India Today Group Raj Chingappa threw ample light on the life and teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
On the occasion, the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of India Today Group Aroon Purie presented a memento as a token of love and affection to the Minister.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Media Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Raveen Thukral, Secretary Public Relations Punjab Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Director Public Relations Punjab Anindita Mitra, Group Photo Editor Bandeep Singh, Chairman Anad Foundation Bhai Baldeep Singh and Dean Publication Panjab University Prof. Gurpal Singh.
