Amarinder Singh promises skill development university at Anandpur Sahib

Anandpur Sahib, December 17

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Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday announced a university for skill development to be named after Guru Gobind Singh at Chamkaur Sahib — about 50 km from here.

The chief minister, who was at Takht Keshgarh Sahib gurdwara to offer prayers during the 350th birth anniversary celebrations of tenth and final Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, said his government would revive the Anandpur Sahib Urban Development Authority.

"The skills university, for which the government has already approved 100 acres of land, would help empower the children of this sacred land and make them gainfully employable in the competitive global job market," he added.

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who also offered prayers at the shrine, said the life and ideology of Guru Gobind Singh showed the path to strengthen the ethos of harmony, religious tolerance, peace and brotherhood.

"Guru Gobind Singh never discriminated against any religion, but respected all human beings, regardless of colour, caste and creed," said the first Sikh Prime Minister (2004-2014) of the country. "The real tribute to Sri Guru Gobind Singh would be to follow his path and bring an end to gender discrimination. As true Sikhs, we should not discriminate between men and women, and should provide equal opportunities of education to both, to enable them to become ideal citizens of the society."

The shrine, considered second holiest in Sikh religion after the Golden Temple in Amritsar, is where Guru Gobind Singh had announced the birth of the Khalsa Panth on April 13, 1699.

The Sikh shrine attracts millions of devotees from across the country and the world every year. IANS/TNS