3-day Global Sikh conclave in Patna from today

Jitendra K Shrivastava & PTI

Patna, September 21

The first ever three-day International Sikh Conclave will be held at SK Memorial Hall here from tomorrow.

Over 200 scholars, religious gurus, academicians and politicians, including Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, are expected to participate.

The conclave is being held ahead of the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, whose birth place is in the eastern part of Patna known as Patna Sahib.

Dignitaries from several countries, including Canada, US and New Zealand, would dwell on the life and teachings of Guru Gobind Singh.

The conclave would be inaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He said: “Bihar is ready to host the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh. We are proud to organise this mega event. The state government will observe three-day holiday during the main function early next year. Despite little Sikh population, the entire state will participate in the mega birth anniversary event.”

“The state wants the teachings of the Sikh guru to reach the common masses. The Tourism Department is the nodal agency to oversee the arrangements and take help from respective departments to make the event grandeur and fabulous,” he said.

Bihar plans Sikh circuit

The Bihar government is mulling to start a Sikh circuit on lines of Buddhist circuit to draw more foreign tourists to the state. “To tap the tremendous potential of religious tourism in Bihar, we are also working on Sufi circuit, Ramayan circuit and Gandhi circuit,” Nitish Kumar said.