Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 12: The 648th Prakash Utsav of Shri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj was celebrated with great religious fervour and enthusiasm across the region.
The main function in his connection was held at Krishna Nagar temple complex of Guru Ravi Das Ji, in Jammu. A large number of people from various parts of Jammu attended the function. The programme was organized by the Management Committee of All J&K Shri Guru Ravidas Sabha, under the leadership of RC Bhasin (Convenor of the Adhoc Committee).
The Temple of Guru Ravi Dass Ji Maharaj and Sabha Bhawan were higly decorated. The devotees started arriving the temple since early morning to offer their prayers. The Adhoc Committee had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the function. The Shobha Yatra of the great Guru was also peacefully taken out on Feb 9 in the City.
Various devotional songs were presented by Ramlu Ram and party besides other cultural groups on the occasion.
Dy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary was the chief guest on the occasion. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, however, could not arrive due to his official preoccupations.
RC Bhasin, convenor of the committee extended formal welcome address and while submitting the memorandum to the Dy Chief Minister he spoke on various issues pertaining to not only Ravidassia biradari of J&K but the whole SC/ST/OBC communities of J&K. He requested the JK UT government to immediately restore reservation in promotions that has legal & constitutional backing but has been sabotaged by the J&K bureaucracy by misleading earlier governments including Governors and LG.
He also demanded to restore direct recruitment roster of SCs to earlier position of 3,15, 27, 29, 51 and so on. He also sought disbursement of pre & post matric scholarships to SC,ST, OBC students. The Sabha further requested for renovation/upgradation of Sarai & Dispensary in the complex of Sabha Bhawan, allotment of about 200 Kanal state land to All J&K Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha for establishment of educational and healthcare institutions and immediate appointment of SC member in the J&K Public Service Commission.
While speaking on the occasion DyCM Surinder Choudhary congratulated the Sangat and whole Ravidassi Samaj of J&K on this auspicious occasion and said that the great Saint was a true socio-cultural and religious reformer who in his time defeated unrealistic arguments with his knowledge and poetic orations. He said that the great Saint believed and followed true principle of humanity- liberty, equality and fraternity and this was the reason that substantial space was given in Guru Granth Sahib to his pious vani.
Further responding to the demands of Sabha as reflected in the Memorandum, he assured of positive results to all the demands as same are genuine and needs the redressal on fast track basis.
During the function many artists including Tapsya Art Group, Sonu Heer and others presented various cultural items depicting life & mission of the great saint. Few children also threw light on teachings of Guru Ravidass. The Managing Committee also announced Election Board of the Sabha to hold the elections of Sabha as per its constitution.
The General House on the occasion supported the resolve. The members of election board are . Darshan Kalsotra (Chairman), Pritam Bangotra, GL Atri, Sham Lal and Dev Raj Thapa, who will start process of membership in consultation with Managing Committee of Sabha and hold the elections as per mandate of Sabha Constitution.
Vote of thanks was extended by Prof GL Thappa and Prof. CL Shivgotra carried forward proceedings of the function.
Prominent amongst others who participated were NC’s provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta, NC’s SC Cell Chairman Vijay Lochan, Ashok Angurana (Retd IAS), Joginder Pal, T.C Bavouria, Dev Raj Angral, Surjeet Heer, Sham Kalsi and Tarsem Loach.
Meanwhile, J&K unit of BJP led by Sat Sharma, its president and Ashok Koul general secretary also celebrated Guru Ravi Das Jayanti at party office here. The BJP leaders and workers paid floral tribute to the great Guru and recalled his teachings.
In connection with the Guru Ravi Dass Jayanti, cultural organization- BLSKS presented a play ” `Kathoti Mein Ganga’ at Durga Bhawan, Janipur here today which was highly appreciated by the audience. Dr M L Dogra directed the play.
Shiromani Sant Kabir Bhawan, Chak Avtara also celebrated Guru Ravi Das Jayanti and offered special prayers to the great Saint of his times. F C Bhagat, Chairman of the Committee threw light on the life and teachings of the great Guru.
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