SGPC to celebrate green Diwali

Patiala, October 13

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has decided to celebrate a pollution-free ‘Bandi Chhor Diwas’ by using environmental friendly fireworks at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar said the Sikh community celebrate Diwali as Bandi Chhor Diwas to commemorate the efforts of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind. Badungar said: “On this day, the sixth Guru was freed by the Mughal emperor from the Fort of Gwalior and the Guru also managed to free 52 kings who were also lodged in the same fort.”

He said the management had also appealed the Sikh clergy to address the community on the issue of pollution and appeal them to celebrate a pollution-free Diwali. The Sikh body has also decided to make people aware of the ill-effects of pollution at the grass-roots level and they would also assist NGOs to spread awareness about the use of eco-friendly products to save environment. Badungar was here at Gurdwara Dukhniwaran Sahib, Patiala, to inaugurate the Mata Nanki Niwas, a sarai, which has been constructed at a cost of around Rs 6 crore. —  OC