Tribute to Sikh gurus: Spirit of service takes centre stage at PU youth festival

In a unique endeavour, AS College, Khanna, has dedicated the 66th Inter-Zonal Youth and Heritage Festival of Panjab university, Chandigarh, to Guru Teg Bahadur’s 350th martyrdom anniversary and Guru Nanak Dev’s 556th birth anniversary. The four-day festival culminates tomorrow.

Water, tea and medicine is being provided for free to all participants and attendees at the venue from dawn to dusk for the past three days and shall continue on the concluding day, too. This unique gesture is probably the first-of-its-kind initiative to have been undertaken by any educational institution in the region.

Former senator and principal of the college, Dr KK Sharma said the staff and students had collected funds to organise the langar of water, tea and medicine, which was running continuously, thus paying a rich tribute to both the gurus. “Necessary arrangements have been made and staff and students have been assigned duties on a roster basis to ensure smooth execution,” he added.

The principal also shared that volunteers from seven zones, including Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Sri Muktsar Sahib, were ensuring their active participation “The four-day festival has witnessed participation from nearly 2,500 participants from 212 PU-affiliated colleges of these seven zones. The college has been entrusted with the grand responsibility of organising such a mega event. In addition to being a source of entertainment, it is an opportunity for the institution and students to hone their organising skills. Our best efforts have always been to tap the potential of these students so that their energies are channelised in the proper direction and they grow up to become self-dependent and responsible citizens. The students, staff and management, especially the president and general secretary of our college management committee, are according real assistance to make the show grand and memorable in every way,” added the principal.

The student volunteers, who are performing langar seva at the festival, said they were happy to serve and connect with others. “We are filled with devotion towards our gurus as we serve tea and medicines to one and all. We are thrilled to be a part of this incredible festival, celebrating our rich legacy of religious devotion and supreme sacrifice,” they said, in unison.

PU’s Director of Youth Welfare Dr Sukhjinder Rishi said that by organising the special langar, the college was setting an exemplary model of selflessness, compassion and community service. “By incorporating these values into the festival, the college is not only celebrating the spirit of the gurus’ teachings but also inspiring young minds to become responsible and compassionate citizens. This endeavour will definitely teach students empathy, teamwork and leadership by imbibing the values of seva and community service which are an integral part of the Indian culture and traditions.