Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 12: The 550th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj the founder of Sikh religion was celebrated with religious fervor and gaiety across Jammu region today.
In this connection, biggest programme was held at Gurdwara Yadgar , Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Chand Nagar here where thousands of Sikh devotees drawn from different parts of Jammu region participated and paid obeisance to Guru Nanak Ji and sought blessings on this auspicious occasion.
The function was organised by District Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, (DGPC) Jammu under the patronage of Mahant Manjit Singh Ji head of Shiromani Dera Nangali Saheb, Poonch and Sant Tejwant Singh Ji head of Dera Sant Pura Danna , Nanak Nagar.
Elaborate arrangements were made by the DGPC for the Sangat. Besides tight security arrangements were also made by administration at the venue of the function.
On the occasion, a resolution highlighting the religious, social and political problems faced by the minority Sikh community of the UT of J and K was passed unanimously by the Sangat. Through the resolution, the Sikhs of JandK expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi as well as his Pakistani counterpart, Imran Khan for opening of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. They expressed hope that it will be a beginning of normalizing the relations between the two countries and the corridor would emerge as a harbinger of peace and serenity.
The resolution also demanded settlement of PoJK refugees’ issue in accordance with Cabinet Sub Committee report on displaced persons from PoJK and the package approved by the State Cabinet for rehabilitation of DPs by paying a compensation of Rs 30 lakh per family as a one time settlement , reservation in professional colleges outside J and K for the children of displaced families, reservation of jobs in paramilitary forces , Army and Central Government offices, publication of Ansari Commission report, inclusion of Sikhs living in Kashmir in SRO 425, implementation of Anand Marriage Act, removal of shops constructed on Gurdwara land at Chand Nagar and special package for transport industry which is backbone of economic system.
It alleged that the industry has been discriminated and ignored by the successive governments and has suffered immensely during recent disturbances in the UT.
It further said the recent announcement of 9 and 10 percent one time tax and additional Toll Plazas have overburdened the transporters and made their lives miserable. It demanded that transport be treated as industry and a special package be announced for it besides all additional taxes be withdrawn and Toll Plazas removed.
The resolution was presented by Jagjit Singh, president DGPC, Jammu. T S Wazir , chairman , State Gurdwara Parbandhak Board while addressing the gathering greeted the Sangat and apprised it of the programmes organised by SGPB in association with DGPC for year long celebrations of 550th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
He urged UT administration and Central Government to fulfill the legitimate demands of Sikh community and assured the gathering that DGPC and SGPB with the cooperation of Sikh Sangat will continue its efforts for the redressal of all the genuine demands of the Sikh community. He cautioned that continuous neglect of community is driving the youth away from the mainstream.
JandK Dilbag Singh also addressed the gathering and greeted the Sangat. NC provincial president and ex MLA Nagrota Devender Singh Rana also greeted the Sangat on the occasion.
Fateh Singh general secretary, DGPC managed the stage while all members of DGPC participated in the religious function.
On the occasion ‘Ragi Jathas’ of Bhai Gurwinder Singh Hazoori Ragi Shri Darbar Sahib Amritsar, Bhai Divinder Singh Ji from Jalandhar, Bhai Davindher Singh, Bhai Balbir Singh, Bhai Karamjit Singh, Hazoori Ragis of DGPC Jammu and Bhai Ranjit Singh from Jammu recited the Kirtan. On the occasion, Giani Charanjit Singh from Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and Bhai Harbhinder Singh, incharge Sikh Mission Jammu and Kashmir delivered sermons.
The 550th Parkash Utsav of Guru Nanak Dev Ji was celebrated at Digiana Ashram Jammu where various Sikh organizations of the UT along with thousands of Sikh Sangat participated. The organisations who participated in the celebrations included Sikh United Front J and K, Shiromani Akali Dal, J and K, Bhai Kanaya Nishkam Sewa Society, J and K, All India Sikh Students Federation, Shiromani Youth Akali Dal, Sikh Welfare Society, Sikh Naujawan Sabha, Istri Akali Dal, members of DGPC Jammu, Ragis and religious preachers.
Besides former Minister and senior Congress leader, Raman Bhalla and Sudershan Singh Wazir, chairman Sikh United Front also participated in the function.
The 550th Parkash Purab was also celebrated by District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Poonch in which thousands of Sikh Sangat participated. Mhanat Manjit Singh Ji of Shiromani Dera Nangali Sahib Poonch was specially present on the occasion. In his discourses he asked the Sikh community to follow the righteous path shown by Guru Nanak Ji.
Reports reaching here said that Guru Purab was also celebrated with religious fervor and gaiety in Kathua, Samba, Rajouri, Udhampur, Ramban and other districts of the Jammu region today.
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