City gears up to celebrate 438th Foundation Day on June 14

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 6

The Holy city of Amritsar evinces deep devotion not only from its residents, but also from the entire international Punjabi Diaspora. EcoAmritsar, a city-based NGO, is all set to host several activities to mark the 438th anniversary of Amritsar’s foundation.

The city was established by the fourth Sikh Master, Guru Ram Dass and came to be known as Chak Ram Dass. This year many programmes have been planned by various organisations for celebrations.

A procession shall be flagged off by Jathedar Akal Takht Singh Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh. Students, residents, environment and sanitation teams that care for the city will take part in this procession. The procession, which will be organised by EcoAmritsar and its stakeholders, shall begin from the Golden Temple and culminate in a public meeting at the historic Ram Bagh.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee shall organise samagams and kathas attributed to the 438th year of the city. NCC, schools, colleges, business houses, NGO’s, malls and media houses are also planning events for the day. Specific mention needs to be made of Indian Academy of Fine Arts sculpture exhibition, WWF nature walks for specially enabled persons, Kesh Sambhaal Parchaar Sanstha’s seminar on Amritsar a beautiful city), VOA installing dustbins, Nishad Entertainers cleanliness drive, Dilbir Foundation’s Namita Jaspal, who give presentation on the Golden Temple restoration work, are some of the proposed activities, which will mark the Foundation Day.

Students of Millennium School shall participate in programmes, besides making arrangements for various events. Big FM is partnering the audio media space enthusiastically.

Said Gunbir Singh, chairman EcoAmritsar, said “The city is the cultural capital of Punjab, the religious hub of Sikh faith, and a source of spiritual solace to mankind. Celebrating its foundation day and honouring its values is our privilege.” Tarundeep Singh, project adminstrator, EcoAmritsar, has sought widespread participation for the event. He said, “We also anticipate that various organisations are working on programmes across the week preceding the event. Our focus shall be on the environment and sanitation.”

EcoSikh president, Dr Rajwant Singh, expressed his satisfaction on the expression of diaspora’s interest foundation day celebrations. He said building the sustaining capacities of Amritsar, and holistic improvement of the quality of the holy city was an area of global concern. “Amritsar Foundation Day provides us an opportunity to celebrate, and yet revisit our concerns for our beloved city,” he added.