Shaheedi Nagar Kirtan to reach city tomorrow

In view of the grand Nagar Kirtan being organised by Punjab Government to commemorate the 350th martyrdom (shaheedi) anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, which is scheduled to reach Ludhiana on November 20, Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain on Tuesday stated that the district administration would make comprehensive and befitting arrangements for this historic religious event.

Chairing a detailed review meeting attended by GLADA Additional Chief Administrator Ojsavi Alankar, ADCs Amarjit Bains, Kulpreet Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh and other senior officials, the DC reiterated that the administration was duty-bound to ensure devotees could participate in the Nagar Kirtan with full devotion. He stressed that every possible measure would be taken to make the occasion memorable.

Flower petals will be showered on the Palki Sahib through the route. A ceremonial guard of honour will also be presented to the Nagar Kirtan at its entry points in Jagraon, Ludhiana city, and Khanna.

For effective on-ground coordination, the administration has appointed 10 Punjab Civil Service (PCS) officers as Sector Officers with clearly defined responsibilities covering cleanliness, removal of garbage dumps and dangling wires, proper lighting, road repairs, traffic management, fire tenders, temporary toilets, deployment of MC staff and flower-petal showers.

Responsibilities along the route have been divided as follows: SDM Jagraon will oversee arrangements from Jagraon to CT University, Estate Officer GLADA from CT University to the Municipal Corporation limit, SDM West (in coordination with MC Joint Commissioner) from the MC limit to Malhar Road and onward to Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib. The Nagar Kirtan arriving from Faridkot and Moga will have its night halt at Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib on November 20 before continuing its journey towards Sri Fatehgarh Sahib district.

Procession from Assam receives warm welcome near Malerkotla

The historic Nagar Kirtan being organised by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur was welcomed by various religious and social organisations at various places along Mullanpur-Raikot road, Raikot-Malerkotla road and Malerkotla-Nabha road on Monday.

While office-bearers of the management committees at Gurdwara Tahliana Sahib, Raikot; Gurdwara Lohatbaddi, Sandaur Gurdwara and Gurdwara Haa Da Naara, Malerkotla, felicitated the Panj Pyaras and Sikh religious leaders accompanying the Nagar Kirtan by adorning them with siropas, Malerkotla district police led by SSP Gagan Ajit Singh accorded the traditional guard of honour at Malerkotla.

The Nagar Kirtan left for Nabha late on Monday evening to be welcomed at Gurdwara Baba Ajaypal Singh Nabha in the wee hours. The procession that started from Gurdwara Dhobari Sahib in Assam on August 21 is scheduled to reach Takht Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 23.

Malerkotla is known for Guru Gobind Singh’s blessings of eternal peace in recognition of the Haa Da Naara raised by Sher Mohammad Khan in favour of Sahibzadas Ajit Singh and Fateh Singh.

The cavalcade of vehicles led by Palki Sahib and Panj Pyaras was welcomed at several religious places and commercial organisations along the route. The devotees accompanying the march were served langar and snacks.

Devotees believe that Guru Teg Bahadur symbolised supreme sacrifice as a defender of universal brotherhood, communal harmony and resistance against tyranny. He is known as Hind Di Chadar for defending Hindus against the tyranny of Mughal emperors.