SGPC, Sant Samaj, all parties to be part of celebrations: Govt

The Punjab Government on Wednesday made it clear that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Sant Samaj, religious personalities and institutions and representatives of all political parties will be made part of the celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev’s 550th birth anniversary, to be held in 2019 on a grand scale.

Clearing the air on the politicisation of the “religious” event, the State Local Government and Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said besides the religious bodies and educational institutes, all political parties including their MPs and MLAs would also be involved in the preparation process.

He said the parliamentarians and legislators, irrespective of their parties, will be given place in various committees for the year-long celebrations, to be organised on the central theme of ‘Nanak Naam Charhdi Kala, Tere Bhaaney Sarbat Da Bhala’.

“Guru Sahib inspired the message of welfare of all humanity and the State Government would propagate the teachings of Guru Sahib in all the corners of the globe through the celebrations,” said Sidhu.

The decision was taken during a high level meeting headed by Sidhu at Punjab Bhawan, and attended by Dera Baba Nanak MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh, Punjab Kala Parishad chairman Dr Surjit Patar, Punjabi University Patiala Vice Chancellor Dr BS Ghuman, Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar Vice Chancellor Jaspal Singh Sandhu, among others.

Sidhu said in the meeting, it was decided to form various committees like International Outreach Committee, Media and Communications Committee and Resource Mobilisation Committee.

“The main motive of these committees would be to clean Kali Bein river and run Swachh Sultanpur Lodhi campaign, holding of seminars in various universities and colleges, literary competitions, painting and photo exhibitions, establishing Guru Nanak Dev Chair in Universities of Punjab and at any two institutions outside the state besides erecting an iconic monument dedicated to the cause of humanity in Punjab,” said Sidhu.

He said a World Poetry Festival and World Sacred Music Festival would also be held as part of the celebrations. The culture of those places would also be given due place in the celebrations which were visited by Guru Nanak Dev.

Sidhu said a resource mobilisation committee would see the inclusion of corporate houses. “A reputed event management company would also be hired to ensure the grand success of these celebrations and the International Outreach Committee would connect the sangat from India and abroad with these celebrations,” he said.

He added a committee, to ensure large scale coverage in print and electronic media besides social media, would also be constituted. The purpose is to make Guru Nanak Dev’s teachings reach in every nook and corner of the globe and make everybody a part of the celebrations, he added.

Sidhu added the Punjab Government will approach the Prime Minister for constituting a Central-level committee concerning the celebrations. Apart from this, a written communication would be sent to the Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry to connect those places through Guru Nanak Marg which were visited by Guru Nanak Dev.

“Various State Governments will also be involved in the celebrations and written communications would also be sent to the Governments of the other States to hold functions at the places connected with Guru Nanak Dev in their respective States,” Sidhu said, adding the Chief Minister has already decided in a meeting that the main function would be held at Sultanpur Lodhi.