Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 16: The Parkash Parab of 10th Guru Gobind Singh Ji was celebrated with great religious fervour and enthusiasm at many parts of the State today.
In connection with the 349th Parkash Utsav of Great Guru, a large function was organised at Sant Mela Singh College ground, near Digiana Ashram, Jammu with zeal and enthusiasm. The day was celebrated as per Nanak Shahi Calendar approved by Sri Akal Takhat Sahib and published by SGPC Amritsar. A large number of devotees participated in the religious congregation under the supervision of Mahant Manjit Singh Ji of Dera Nangali Sahib, Poonch with the cooperation of Sikh Sangat of Jammu district. Six members of DGPC Jammu and various Sikh organizations of J&K including J&K Sikh United Front, Bhai Kanheya Nishkam Sewa Society, AISSF, Sikh Welfare Society and Sikh Naujawan Sabha.
Many famous religious personalities within and outside State participated in this grand function and delivered speeches on the life history and sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. They included Bhai Daljit Singh, Giani Bachan Singh, Bibi Jaspreet Kour of Patiala (Punjab), Giani Jagdev Singh- SGPC preacher, Giani Amrik Singh Dhadi of Pathankot and Giani Swarn Singh Khalsa of SGPC and Incharge J&K Sikh Mission.
Several local politicians and social leaders also participated in this function and spoke on this occasion. They included Rangil Singh ex-minister, Sudarshan Singh Wazir, former president SGPB, Rajesh Gupta, MLA Jammu East, Raman Bhalla former Minister and Bhushan Dogra, vice chairman SC Advisory Board from PDP.
Some resolutions were also read and passed on this occasion by the Sikh Sangat demanding to pay Rs 30 lakh per family of PoK refugees, inclusion of a Sikh member in J&K Service Selection Board, to grant minority status to the Sikh community in the State on pattern of other States of India, reservation in Govt jobs to the PoK refugees and providing of Punjabi learning staff in the schools and colleges and fully implementation of Punjabi language.
Mahant Manjit Singh while addressing the gathering said that community cannot ignore Shri Akal Takhat Sahib and Nanak Shahi Calendar to maintain unity among the Sikh community and criticized the forces ignoring Sri Akal Takhat Sahib which is supreme religious authority of Sikhs and congratulate the Sikhs community on the Parkash Parab of 10th Guru. Mahant Manjit Singh also presented `Siropas’ to all the prominent personalities who attended the occasion.
The DGPC Jammu members who were also presented Siropas on this occasion included Jethedar Mohinder Singh, Avtar Singh Khalsa, Ramneek Singh, Fateh Singh, Raja Singh, Darbinder Singh Members DGPC, Jammu. Surinder Singh Kala, Convener J&K Motor Transport Companies Association, Jammu, Mohinder Singh, Paramjit Singh, Gajan Singh, Paramjit Singh Raina, Ex- Corporator and Rajinder Singh.
Meanwhile, in Poonch a grand function was held at Gurdwara Singh Sabha where thousands of devotees offered special prayers. The Sikh Sangat including women and children started visiting this historic Gurdwara since early in the morning. It was highly decorated by the DGPC and management committee members. DGPC president Narinder Singh and general secretary Rajinder Singh besides several preachers and Ragi Jathas from Punjab and Jammu spoke on the occasion. Several religious preachers were chanting Gurvani Path.
In Old Poonch city, another Gurdawara was also highly decorated and religious function was held there on the occasion of Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. A large number of Sikh devotees offered special prayers at this Gurdwara and another one at Khalsa Chowk also known as Chhota Gurdwara. A large number of people from adjoining villages including Ajot, Jhallas, Degwar, Khanetar etc also thronged the the Gurdwaras to offer prayers.
Reports of celebrations of Gurpurab were also received from Nowshera, Sunderbani Rajouri and other parts of the State. Massive gathering of devotees was witnessed at Nowshera Gurdwara.
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