550th Gurpurb celebrations set to be marked world over

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 25

The state government is set to make the celebrations of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak a global affair. It is in talks to hold an event on Guru’s life and teachings in New York’s Times Square.

Apart from inviting world renowned dignitaries and prominent Sikh faces, who have valuable contribution to their respective fields, a laser show on the life of the founder of Sikhism will be held. A Sikh organisation having rights to hold events at Times Square is learnt to have approached the government.

Since holding the event at the international venue requires various permissions and huge funds, the government would be looking for sponsors for the event planned in October. Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and senior ministers are expected to be part of the event.

The government is likely to invite expression of interest for events planned in different countries. Apart from New York, events have been planned in other cities of the US, UK, Canada, Italy, Germany and Australia.

“Holding international events apart from the main celebrations at Sultanpur Lodhi in September will go a long way in creating awareness about Sikhism and propagating Guru’s message of universal brotherhood and humanity,” said Charanjit Singh Channi, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister.

The government is also identifying 550 Sikhs across the globe, who have done extremely well in respective fields, for honouring them as part of the celebrations.

Besides, the government has tasked the job of filming a documentary on Guru’s travel, known as Four Udasis, which will be shown at different places.

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama will be among a host of dignitaries, who will be invited to join the celebrations, Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said.

Special Assembly session

The state government would convene a one-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha to commemorate 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. The government is contemplating inviting the President, Ram Nath Kovind, for addressing the session, apart from participating in the main event at Sultanpur Lodhi in November.

CM's participation likely 

• Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and senior ministers are expected to be part of the event at New York Times Square that has been planned in October.
• An organisation, having rights to hold events at Times Square, is learnt to have approached the government.
• The state government will be looking for sponsors since an international event requires huge funds.
• Apart from New York, the government has planned a number of events in the US, UK, Canada, Italy, Germany and Australia to mark the celebrations.