Keep Kartarpur and Dera Nanak pristine, Navjot Singh Sidhu writes to PMs
TNN | Jan 21, 2019, 11:48 IST
File photo of Navjot Singh Sidhu. JALANDHAR: Local Bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has written to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan that the serenity of Kartarpur Sahib should not be compromised as development works would be taking place on the occasion of 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak and opening of corridor for pilgrims from India. He has written a similar letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to save original aesthetics in Dera Baba Nanak, avoiding new concrete structures around the shrine.
The minister has pleaded that new facilities for religious tourists should not interfere with current aesthetics, and must be eco-friendly; their architecture aligned to Guru’s period and they should be located outside and at a considerable distance from the current premises.
“I request that the old pristine landscape and terrain of the area should not be disfigured in the name of ‘commercialization’ and ‘tourist comforts’. Kartarpur Sahib is a sacred pilgrimage and should remain so without compromising its history, architecture and ecology. The holy land where Baba Nanak spent 18 years of his life should be declared heritage village,” Sidhu has written. He has mentioned US-based community activist Gurmeet Kaur, who was the first one to flag these issues and even launched an online petition addressed to Pak PM with similar requests.
He has made specific suggestions to Pakistani PM to preserve the sanctity of Kartarpur Sahib, including, “In the 104 acres of land that surrounds the Gurudwara Sahib at Kartarpur, we can avoid building of any new concrete structures and the altering of the historical structures on the sites. To protect the holy land-banks of soil which were once tilled by Baba Nanak, utilising them for organic cultivation of local food crops that must be used to serve langar to the devotees in the holy Gurudwara Sahib.”
He has also suggested regulating the movement of pilgrims by eschewing private vehicles, promoting movement on foot with making exception only for elderly, disabled or sick.
The minister has pleaded that new facilities for religious tourists should not interfere with current aesthetics, and must be eco-friendly; their architecture aligned to Guru’s period and they should be located outside and at a considerable distance from the current premises.
“I request that the old pristine landscape and terrain of the area should not be disfigured in the name of ‘commercialization’ and ‘tourist comforts’. Kartarpur Sahib is a sacred pilgrimage and should remain so without compromising its history, architecture and ecology. The holy land where Baba Nanak spent 18 years of his life should be declared heritage village,” Sidhu has written. He has mentioned US-based community activist Gurmeet Kaur, who was the first one to flag these issues and even launched an online petition addressed to Pak PM with similar requests.
He has made specific suggestions to Pakistani PM to preserve the sanctity of Kartarpur Sahib, including, “In the 104 acres of land that surrounds the Gurudwara Sahib at Kartarpur, we can avoid building of any new concrete structures and the altering of the historical structures on the sites. To protect the holy land-banks of soil which were once tilled by Baba Nanak, utilising them for organic cultivation of local food crops that must be used to serve langar to the devotees in the holy Gurudwara Sahib.”
He has also suggested regulating the movement of pilgrims by eschewing private vehicles, promoting movement on foot with making exception only for elderly, disabled or sick.
FROM AROUND THE WEB
more from times of india Cities
LATEST VIDEOS
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE