FATEHGARH SAHIB SEPTEMBER 6: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today underscored the need to disseminate the message and philosophy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji across the globe to foster the sense of harmony, oneness, peace and compassion amongst the mankind.
Presiding over a National Seminar on "Sri Guru Granth Sahib: Panacea for all Ills of Modern Age" organized by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) here at Giani Dit Singh Auditorium in Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College, Mr. Badal said: "It is the need of the hour as not only our country but the entire world was passing through the pangs of agony due to internal and external disturbances, terrorism, communal tension and secessionism and therefore the universal message of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the only & only solution to all these maladies that has griped the entire humanity with a sense of hatred and mistrust which must be replaced by love and trust at all costs with the blessings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib".
Citing the recent disturbances and communal tensions in the country, Mr. Badal said that these had arisen out of ever widening economic disparity between the rich and poor and consequently resulted the problems of starvation, unemployment and illiteracy which had caused wide spread anguish and disillusionment amongst our poor countrymen. Squarely holding responsible the States and the Centre for this crisis, Mr. Badal said that we should draw inspiration from Sri Guru Granth Sahib where equality of mankind, righteousness and justice was the order of the day.
Emphasizing the significance and relevance of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Mr. Badal said that our younger generations must be preached the noble teachings from this holy scripture. He hoped the eternal message of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji would leave an indelible impression on the minds of the youth which would ultimately enable them to make them an ideal citizens of the society. He asked the SGPC to hold such seminars in open so that a sizeable chunk of people especially the youth could be benefited from the legacy and philosophy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. He also underlined the need to introduce ‘Sikh religion’ as a subject in the curriculum of the schools and colleges run by SGPC.
The Chief Ministers said that all of us were fortunate enough to commemorate 9 anniversaries related to the Sikh history in our lifetime and now Tercentenary of Guru-ta-Gaddi Diwas of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and 300th death anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji would be observed during this year. He said that Rs.200 crore would be spent on the overall development of the holy cities of Sri Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo as a part of Guru-ta-Gaddi Diwas Celebrations. He said that the prestigious project Guru Gobind Singh Marg linking Takhat Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib to Takhat Sri Sach Khand Hazoor Sahib Nanded via Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib Talwandi Sabo was in the final stage and nod was awaited from Centre. Mr. Badal also pointed out that Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University – SGPC project was also a right step in the direction to spared the message of Sri Guru Granth Sahib to every nock and corner of the world.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the newly built houses for Assistant Professors at a cost of Rs.1.25 crore and laid a foundation stone of Rs.3 crore library block in the campus of the BBSB Engg. College.
Speaking on the occasion, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh said that Sri Guru Granth Sahib is a Matchless Divine Treasure of the whole global community and a paradise of spiritual harmony. National Integration, harmony and unity could only usher in, on a solid foundation of Love, peace and compassion as ordained in its pristine purity and glory of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
In his keynote address an eminent Sikh scholar and Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University Patiala Dr.Jaspal Singh said that Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is not merely a holy book but an ‘eternal Guru’ with all solutions to the present day problems besides a code of ethics and moral values to guide our day-to-day living. He said that the composition of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in 31 classical ragas (musical measures) with holy hymns of 36 divine Gurus and Saints from the length and breadth of Indian sub-continent characterized it as one of the most unique and vast creations of the universe.
In his welcome address President SGPC Jathedar Avtar Singh said that today’s national seminar was a part of the ongoing programmes and activities of SGPC for the commemoration of the Guru-ta-Gaddi Diwas. Another such seminar had been planned for Talwandi Sabo on October 10 where 526 students from SGPC educational institutions would be given scholarships for their academic excellence and a provision of Rs.30 lac had already been made in the budget of SGPC.
Former President SGPC and Chairman of the Seminar Sub Committe Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar proposed a vote of thanks and said that such seminars and symposiums should be held regularly to acquaint our youth with the rich legacy of Sikhism.
Noted Sikh scholars and academicians namely Chief Editor Sikh Review Kolcutta Mr.Saran Singh, IAS (Retd), Dr. Darshan Singh Punjabi University Patiala, Dr.Jasbir Singh Sabbar SGPC, Dr.Muthu Mohan Madurai UIniversity Madurai, Dr.Surjit Singh Narang, GNDU Amritsar, Dr.Prabhjot Kaur Principal Gurmat College Patiala and Dr.Surjit Kaur from Pune University read papers on the various aspects of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Dr.Gurnek Singh, Dr.Suba Singh, Dr.Parmveer Singh, Dr.Gurmit Singh, Dr.Balwinder Kaur and Mr.Balwinder Singh Jorasingha Deputy Secretary SGPC also took part in the deliberations.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included MLA Sirhind Didar Singh Bhatti, Senior Akali Leader Surjit Singh Rakhra Secretary SGPC Dalmegh Singh, Director Education SGPC Dr.Gurmohan Singh Walia, Principal BBSB Engg. College Dr.Manjit Singh Grewal, Dr.Balwant Singh Director of the seminar sub committee and Mr. Waryam Singh