Education, healthcare show way to progress at Thatha

Gurdwara Baba Budha Sahib, Thatha, is managed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Besides managing the gurdwara affairs, the SGPC has established a number of educational institutions. The Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Bir Baba Budha Sahib, Thatha, is one of the pioneer and glorious educational institutions here which started spreading the light of education soon after the independence. It was established in 1953 and was a rare institution in a backward area. It was once an aided school and 95 per cent grants and salary of the teaching and the non-teaching staff was paid by the state government, but with the change in rule, the policy has been withheld and the SGPC in one or the other way is compensating for the expenditure incurred on school affairs.

Meanwhile, the SGPC is running another private school, named as Baba Budha Public Senior Secondary, Bir Baba Budha Sahib, Thatha, which was established in 1975. It is known for its better performance and has strength of more than 1,150 students. The SGPC has established a 150-bedded hospital named as Baba Budha ji Charitable Hospital with a qualified team of doctors and other para-medical staff.

Adding to the dignity of the site, Baba Kharak Singh (Kar Sewa Wale) established Baba Budha College in 1969 which is a unique educational institution at the college level in the area. The activities regarding the preparations for the Mela have already started and devotees from across Punjab and beyond are visiting Gurdwara Baba Budha Sahib round-the-clock. As this Mela has got special significance, residents in a 25 kilometre radius have started making arrangements for five-day langars by the roadside in their respective villages.

In the congregation, known Sikh personalities like Singh Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, members of the SGPC and other heads of different Sikh sects are expected to remain present. Sarabdyal Singh, Manager of the Gurdwara Bir Baba Budha Sahib, said that the Mela celebrations are to start from October 4 with Sri Akhand Path at the gurdwara site followed by a colourful Nagar Kirtan procession on October 5.

The convoy of horses and elephants led by Baba Avtar Singh, Head, Dal Panth Baba Bidhi Chand (Sursingh), and Gatka parties are to participate in Nagar Kirtan processions which would be taken to Chabal and other villages in the surrounding area. The devotees participating in Nagar Kirtan would be served with the langar, fruits, water and other eatables. The district administration often declares a public holiday in educational institutions on such occasion.

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