551st Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev celebrated

Tribune News Service
Amritsar, November 30

A sea of devotees thronged the Golden Temple to pay obeisance on the occasion of 551st Parkash Purb of the founder of the Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, which was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety on Monday. Sangat also took a dip in holy sarovar.

They listened to the Gurbani and had darshan of ‘Jalaun’ (show of splendor) at the sanctum sanctorum, Akal Takht and Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai.

On this occasion, bhog of the Akhand Path was performed at Gurdwara Manji Sahib Diwan Hall and Ragi Jatha rendered the Gurbani kirtan.

At night, entire Golden Temple complex was illuminated with beautiful lighting and a firecracker display was also carried out.

3 women officers took charge of celebrations

Three women officers, who occupy key posts in the district administration, had on Monday taken the charge of the conduct of 551st Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak at the holy town of Sultanpur Lodhi.

Deputy Commissioner Deepti Uppal, SSP Kanwardeep Kaur and SDM Sultanpur Lodhi Charumita along with a team of officers had done all the planning of security, traffic, crowd management, drinking water facilities, washroom and other basic amenities for more than 4 lakh devotees during the event.

For the last 10 days, they were in the field constantly monitoring the arrangements in the pandemic days. Deputy Commissioner Deepti Uppal, a 2011-batch IAS officer, said, “This time, we are facing an unprecedented health crisis in the form of Covid. There was an uphill challenge to ensure strict adherence to protocols during the massive congregation here.”

She said 50,000 masks were distributed during the event and 50 hand-wash kiosks and sanitisation points were set up to prevent the spread. Besides, testing was also carried out vigorously.

SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, a 2013-batch IPS officer, who recently joined Kapurthala, said that more than 2,000 cops were deployed to keep round the clock vigil. Also, CCTV cameras were installed as special checking teams were also formed. She said that for the traffic management, six parking lots were set up on all the roads leading to Sultanpur Lodhi for devotees.

SDM Charumita, a 2013-batch PCS officer, who was a key member of the team constituted for the events, said ensuring cleanliness was one of the biggest task amid heavy footfall and task was managed with the help of more than 550 safai sewaks from adjoining Municipal Councils like Adampur, Bhogpur, Shahkot, Nakodar, Tanda, Dasuya, Nadala and others. She said that 20 swimmers were also deployed around holy Bein to avert any mishap.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday laid foundation stones of six projects to be completed at a cost of nearly Rs40.75 crore. Listing some other projects that had been announced and completed at Sultanpur Lodhi, the CM said the beautification of the holy Bein was done at a cost of Rs10.8 crore, while Guru Nanak Dev Centre for Invention, Innovation, Incubation & Training had been set up at a cost of Rs319 crore. “The Bebe Nanki College (girls) had been established in the area in this period and the widening and construction of six roads had been completed at Rs30.7 crore, along with upgradation of the railway station to facilitate followers and other travelers,” he added.

For easy movement towards gurdwara Ber Sahib, three high-level bridges have been constructed on Bein at a cost of Rs9.30 crore, in addition to two overbridges at Rs1.4 crore and two pontoon bridges at Rs2 crore. The rest house had also been raised at a cost of Rs2.4 crore, while Rs6 crore was spent on upgradation of the bus stand, apart from setting up of 66 KV sub-station at a cost of Rs11 crore.

He asked MLA Navtej Singh Cheema to submit a proposal regarding new development projects, if needed, in the region. Cheema urged the Chief Minister to grant funds for strengthening of basic amenities and infrastructure development in colonies adjoining the rail coach factory, where more than 25,000 people were residing.

Farmers’ issues raised

The Chief Minister stressed on disseminating the ideology and message of ‘Sarbat Da Bhala’ as envisioned by Guru Nanak Dev. Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president, Sunil Jakhar, and Khadoor Sahib MP, Jasbir Dimpa, took the opportunity to eulogise a strong stand of the CM on farmers’ issues.

Head of Namdhari Sect Satguru Uday Singh said Punjabis had always been at forefront for the welfare of all sections of the society, which they had proven even during the pandemic crisis by extending all possible help to the needy, besides continuing langar to feed hapless people.

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