70 lakh schoolkids to learn about Guru’s life over fortnight

The Punjab Education Department has decided to narrate life events of Guru Teg Bahadur and his wife Mata Gujri to around 70 lakh students in nearly 27,000 schools over 15 days during the morning assembly.

The initiative to be carried out from November 11 to 27 is being launched to mark the 350th martyrdom day of the Guru next month.

“Information related to Sikh Gurus, Mata Gujri and the martyrdom of four Sahibzadas will be read out while adhering to the religious code of conduct,” said Education Minister Harjot Bains.

Officials involved in the exercise said the information to be shared with students had been divided into 15 parts. “The information will be sent digitally to teachers who will read it out during morning prayers every day,” said an official.

The exercise is being carried out in consultation with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex gurdwara body.

Such sessions will also be held on the premises of the Punjab School Education Board. Besides, all vice-chancellors and college principals across the state, including those from private and aided institutions, have been asked to organise seminars and awareness programmes dedicated to the life, teachings and supreme sacrifice of Guru Teg Bahadur.

In his communication to universities and colleges, Bains said the programmes, scheduled from October 27 to November 30, should reflect the Guru’s timeless message of selflessness, human rights and unity.

He instructed the institutions to maintain utmost religious decorum and sanctity during these events.