Chair in the name of Guru Nanak at MRSPTU soon

Box— Focus on teachings

The chair, during its five-year term, would be entrusted with conducting research on the life, philosophy and teachings of Guru Nanak, particularly those related to environmental science based on his teaching “Pavan-Guru Paani-Pita Maata-Dharat Mahat”.

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 26

To mark the 550th Parkash Purb of Sikhism’s founder Guru Nanak, the Punjab Government has decided to set up a Guru Nanak Dev Chair at the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda. Prof Buta Singh Sidhu, Vice-Chancellor of MRSPTU, stated this while on a visit to the Golden Temple with his family today.

Professor Sidhu said the chair would align the objectives of the state government to conduct exhaustive research in a systematic manner on the Guru’s messages and teachings. The chair, during its five-year term, would be entrusted with conducting research on the life, philosophy and teachings of Guru Nanak, particularly those related to environmental science based on his teaching “Pavan-Guru Paani-Pita Maata-Dharat Mahat”.

“The Guru’s vision of man-nature relationship, with particular emphasis on his message of ‘Pavan-Guru Paani-Pita Maata-Dharat Mahat’, studying the elements of water, air and soil in the present context of ecological crisis facing mankind, will remain in focus. It will enable studies having special focus on the scientific vision of Guru Nanak in addressing prevalent issues, such as bio-hazard threat, ecological imbalances and defining ecological relationships for the better survival of every living organism on this earth,” the VC said.

“Setting up a prominent chair is one of the most cost-effective ways of carrying forward the Guru’s message and the very fact that he was able to anticipate the major challenges that we face today, including environmental protection, checking radicalisation and social evils,” Professor Sidhu added.

Later, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gobind Singh Longowal honoured the VC, his family members and faculty with Siropas (robe of honour) for the cause of establishing Guru Nanak chair at the university.